New life for the Dead Millennial Olive Tree of La Jana ( 2/8/2025 )

OTRart is an initiative of the Creative Europe Program that addresses waste problems in the Mediterranean through artistic expression. The project began in Kalamata, Greece, in January of this year and involves six participating countries: Greece (Olive Routes), Spain (Taula del Sénia), Italy (Ceramics Route), France (Avignon University and Dechets d'Arts), Croatia (Tourism Association), and Malta (Unfinished Art Space).

The Taula del Senia activity, related to the Ancient Olive Trees, takes place in the two Natural Museums of Ancient Olive Trees in La Jana (Castelló) and Ulldecona (Tarragona).

The project's artists are Laurent Gongora (French sculptor) and Manel Raga (filmmaker). The Taula del Senia and the town councils of La Jana and Ulldecona are participating, along with the collaboration of the olive tree owners: the Llorach brothers and the Porta i Ferré family, as well as the artisan potter Joan Cortiella.

La Jana Natural Museum of Ancient Olive Trees "Pou del Mas" : The dead ancient olive tree of La Jana had been "worked" by the two artists and the artisan, who created a unique ceramic piece, which was placed inside the olive tree and filled with olive oil. Once the activity began, oil was extracted into a container and those present were invited to anoint the olive tree, an act in which everyone participated very actively.

La Jana Cemetery : Old photographs had been placed in the cemetery as a tribute to the rural people, true protagonists of the conservation of ancient olive trees. Afterwards, the container containing the oil from the ancient dead olive tree and a young olive tree planted, watered, and anointed with the oil by the owners of the property where the Museum is located were brought into the grounds.