THE BURIAL OF THE SARDINE

 

 The "Entierro de la Sardina" (Burial of the Sardine)

This fabulous and crazy event is slightly out of the norm for this time of year in Spain. An enjoyable fiesta that is part of the programme of events for the Spring Fiestas in the city of Murcia.

The "Entierro de la Sardina" (Burial of the Sardine) is a flamboyant parade which normally closes the Carnival celebrations. In Murcia, this event stands out for certain characteristics that make it highly original. One thing that makes it unusual is the late date it is held, after the Easter celebrations - right at the end of the following week. These festivities date back to 1850, when a group of students decided to form an entourage presided over by a sardine, symbolising fasting and abstinence, to relive the fiesta celebrated at Carnival.

Thirty or so "sardinero" groups make up the enjoyable "Entierro de la Sardina" parade. These groups also liven up the city with street entertainment on the days before the parade. The night before, the Testament of Lady Sardine is read from the balcony of the town hall. It takes a humorous look at current political and social issues.

The following day is the big cavalcade, which has two different parts: the "cabecera", with "giants and big-heads", carnival groups and brass bands; and the floats, dedicated to the gods of Olympus, where thousands of toys are thrown out into the crowd. They all accompany the sardine to the place where it is burned, with a firework display and a huge people's fiesta that lasts into the early hours.
Dates: Apr 30, 2011
Location
Murcia (Murcia)
 

 

Murcia
 

The Burial of the Sardine, the climax of the Spring Festival, is Murcia's wackiest night of the year with a crazy cavalcade of "giants" and "big-heads" (gigantes and cabezudos), torch-bearers and entertainers, demons and Brazilian samba groups. Read More
 

Just when you think you understand  what

'The Burial of the Sardine ' is and when, along comes a sardine to be buried a week later in Murcia.

This sardine festival is a long held tradition started by students in 1850 who wanted to carry on the party for another week and relive the carnival. This is Murcia's craziest night of the year and is seriously whacky one of the wildest nights in Spain.

 

 

 

 In Murcia you will see the "sardinero" groups in the enjoyable "Entierro de la Sardina" parade featuring  ' the big heads' and 'giants'.  Also featured are Brazilian samba groups , torch bearers, entertainers and demons. In honour to the Gods of Olympus the members of The Sardinero associations throw hundreds of thousands  euros worth of toys to the crowds.
Prior to this in the days preceding the big event the city is filled with street entertainment and a constant sream of processions and displays by the sardinero association brass bands. The following day is the big cavalcade, which has two different parts: the "cabecera", with "giants and big-heads", carnival groups and brass bands; and the floats, dedicated to the gods of Olympus, where thousands of toys are thrown out into the crowd. They all accompany the sardine to the place where it is burned, with a firework display and a huge people's fiesta that lasts into the early hours. On the night of the eve of the Burial, the Testament of Doña Sardina (Ms Sardine) is read from the balcony of the Town Hall. The fiesta ends in the early hours of the morning, when, once the last float has finished its round, a papier-mâché effigy of the Lenten sardine is burnt in Plano de San Francisco amid public rejoicing

MURCIA - OFICINA MUNICIPAL DE TURISMO
Plaza Cardenal Belluga. Edificio Ayuntamiento - Murcia
968 358 749
informacion.turismo@ayto-murcia.es
www.murciaciudad.com

Tourist Office:
Plaza Cardenal Belluga. Edificio Ayuntamiento, 30004 Murcia (Murcia)
Tel. +34 968358749  Fax +34 968358748
website
Entierro de la Sardina
Murcia
The Burial of the Sardine, the climax of the Spring Festival, is Murcia's wackiest night of the year with a crazy cavalcade of "giants" and "big-heads" (gigantes and cabezudos), torch-bearers and entertainers, demons and Brazilian samba groups.