What is the Entierro de la Sardina?:
The Entierro de la Sardina is the bizarre fish-burying festival that concludes the carnival in Spain. Though the exact nature differs from city to city, most if not all big carnivals in Spain (in Cadiz, Tenerife, Sitges, Murcia and Madrid) have an Entierro de la Sardina. Read more about the best cities to see the Carnival in Spain.What is the significance of the Entierro de la Sardina?:
The Entierro de la Sardina is symbolic for the fasting and abstinence that follows in the period of lent.What are the origins of the Entierro de la Sardina?:
Who else but students? A group of university students in 19th century Madrid decided it would be a good idea to conduct a funeral procession for a sardine, As with many odd acts of behaviour in Spain, such as throwing tomatoes at each other or running in front of wild bulls, rather than the general public frowning on their childishness, they decided to make a festival out of it.What happens before the Entierro de la Sardina?:
The night before the Entierro de la Sardina, 'Doña Sardina' reads the Testament of the Sardine from the balcony of the council building. Her speech usually makes fun of current public figures.What happens during the Entierro de la Sardina?:
A procession, led by singers, dancers and Chinese-style dragons and followed by the funeral procession itself. Local men dress as teaful 'widows' and walk with the deceased fish. But the sardine isn't actually buried, he is cremated - and the burning ceremony is (unsurprisingly) accompanied by much revelry.
