We went to see the funeral procession and burning of the Sardine which was on Valentine’s day this year. We decided to head down early and meet up with friends for a drink and then see the burning of the sardine.

The funeral procession is a symbolic end to indulgence and the start of lent, People dress up in black and wear veils and walk behind a wooden effigy of a sardine.

The funeral procession walks through some of the streets and then ends in the Plaza Del Carmen. This is when they commence the burning of the effigy. There is a person who says some prayers and chants on the loss of indulgence and the beginning of lent.

There are people dressed in red devil type clothing who run around the effigy with burning fireworks in their hands. It is quite something to see people dancing around with live fireworks going off in their hands.

After some time they set the sardine on fire using the fireworks to start it.

We watched the entire burning of the sardine near the front and had a great view.

We stayed until the end of the sardine burning and enjoyed the party for a while.

Here is a short video of the burning  of the sardine.

We had a great time and enjoyed “burning the sardine”

“Adios y que tenga un gran dia”