For the 44th year, Ash Wednesday in Miguelturra summoned us at 5:00 pm in the esplanade of Bar El Ganadero to begin the traditional Burial of the Sardine.

Under the usual organization of the Peña La Cabra, the most famous funeral procession in Castilla-La Mancha began to bid farewell to Doña Sardina.

Accompanied by carnival authorities, major masks and groups, she made the usual journey to be burned as the culmination of this carnival day.

This year, the weather wasn’t a deterrent, and the town of Miguelturra turned out in force for its most unusual funeral procession. Groups and clubs in costume accompanied the Peña La Cabra (the Goat Club) along the entire route, with much sorrow… or perhaps not so much.

An unstoppable carnival, which continues to overflow with joy and participation, even though we have already reached its midpoint.

This funeral procession, led by the King of Carnival, Serafín Delgado, and one of the greatest carnival figures in our history, Octavio Martín, also included the presence of carnival authorities: the Major Masks of 2025: Berna and Esther, and the Major Masks of 2026: Juan Carlos and Miguel Angel; in addition to other senior masks from previous years, the president of the Association of Clubs: Diego Rodríguez, and the Councilor for Culture and Festivities: Carmen María Mohíno.

As this unique burial concluded, the fire received the lifeless bodies of the unfortunate sardines. Shortly afterward, grilled sardines and lemonade were enjoyed at the traditional Peña gathering place in Plaza Pradillo de Clavería.

May our carnival sardine, symbol of celebration and shared joy, rest in peace. We bid her farewell with honors, amidst applause and smiles, knowing that her end is merely the harbinger of a new beginning.

Requiescat in pace… Until next year.