The As Borrallás festival is set to take place on 31 October in Eljas, celebrating the shared history and traditions of the communities on both sides of La Raya, the border between Spain and Portugal. This event, recognised as a Regional Tourist Interest Festival, will feature cross-border camaraderie, traditional music, gastronomy, and a route that retraces the old smuggling paths.
Javier Díaz Cieza, the Deputy for Demographic Challenge and Protected Natural Spaces of the Diputación de Cáceres, presented the event alongside Eljas Mayor Antonio Bellanco. They emphasised the importance of the festival in preserving the cultural roots of the Sierra de Gata region and fostering community ties across the border.
Díaz Cieza remarked, “As Borrallás allows us to remember the history of the old smugglers, whose exchange of goods between border towns was a means of survival for many families for decades. It is important that we do not lose our roots and our memory.”
Historical and cultural significance
The programme for 31 October will once again highlight the historical and cultural connections between Eljas and Foios, reviving the spirit of the exchanges that took place across the border. A key feature of the day will be a transboundary route following the paths used by smugglers to transport coffee and other goods.
The festival will also include performances by Spanish and Portuguese folk groups, bringing traditional music and dance to the streets, as well as a floral tribute in the Contrabandista Park, honouring those who participated in the historical exchanges.
Food will play a central role in the celebration, with tastings of traditional products such as roasted chestnuts, honey, wine, olives, and the Portuguese drink known as yurpiga.
A tribute to cultural preservation
This year’s edition will also feature an emotional component, as Félix Severino López Fernández will be named the beloved son of Eljas in recognition of his contributions as a teacher, cultural councillor, and advocate for the preservation of A Fala, a significant cultural hallmark of the area.
Mayor Bellanco highlighted the importance of this recognition, stating, “He was one of the promoters of the conservation of A Fala, which represents us most, along with Valverde del Fresno, our jewel, a language we have spoken since time immemorial and will continue to speak as long as we can.”
As Borrallás is thus established as more than just a gastronomic festival; it is a gathering of brotherly towns, a celebration of collective memory, and a demonstration of how culture, traditions, and cross-border cooperation contribute to the vitality of rural municipalities. “The Diputación de Cáceres will always support initiatives that help preserve the identity of our towns and create opportunities from the territory,” Díaz Cieza affirmed.
