Higuera de la Serena hosts Festival Rosa Portalo celebrating Extremadura folklore

Higuera de la Serena in Extremadura turned into a centre of folk culture on Friday, 7 August, with the fifth edition of the Festival Rosa Portalo. The free event, titled “Origen, el inicio de todo”, took place in the Plaza de España and featured nine groups spanning children, youths, senior performers and main ensembles, attracting around one hundred participants.

The festival was organised by the municipal government together with the Diputación Provincial de Badajoz. Mayor Gregorio García highlighted the importance of supporting cultural activities in small municipalities of fewer than 900 residents. Provincial deputy Lourdes Linares stressed that folklore is “the memory of the villages expressed through body, music and costume”. Hilario Blanco, secretary of Altagracia and member of a dance troupe, spoke about honoring past traditions and the symbolic use of fire in the performances.

The programme showcased a variety of traditional costumes and repertoires, aiming to keep the intangible heritage of Extremadura alive while also incorporating broader artistic elements.