Bidding farewell to the carnival season: Ash Wednesday and the "Burial of the Sardine" ceremony
Explore the unique Spanish tradition of the 'Burial of the Sardine' ceremony, marking the end of the carnival season and the start of Lent. Learn about this symbolic ritual and its significance.
Bidding farewell to the carnival season: Ash Wednesday and the "Burial of the Sardine" ceremony
An unusual conclusion to the carnival season in Spain is the "Burial of the Sardine" ceremony (Spanish: Entierro de la Sardina) on Ash Wednesday. This ritual, symbolizing the end of revelry and the beginning of Lent, attracts the attention of residents and tourists alike with its originality and traditional significance.
Ash Wednesday, or if you see people carrying sardines...
Don't be surprised, it's the Sardine Funeral Ceremony (Spanish: Entierro de la Sardina), an unusual closing of the Carnival season of festivities and celebrations. This day is called "Ash Wednesday" because the very sardines, after being carried through the city, are eventually burnt on the beach or in the central town square. Someone buries the sardines in the ground.
"Burial of the Sardine" ceremony in Spain
On this day, you can see an unusual procession on the streets, where people carry dolls and figures of sardines. These processions, known as the "Burial of the Sardine," mark the end of the carnival festivities and usher in the start of the 40-day fasting period. At the end of the procession, the sardine dolls are burned either on the beach or in the central town square, and some residents even bury them in the ground.
This traditional ritual adds a special atmosphere and vibrancy to Spanish cities in the lead-up to Lent. Sardine dolls, made of paper and cardboard, can be both large and small, crafted by professional artists as well as ordinary residents to participate in this symbolic ceremony.
By bidding farewell to the carnival season in such a bright and original way, Spaniards preserve ancient traditions and bring a special charm to the everyday life of their cities.
