We reach the midpoint of the Miguelturra Carnival with the Burial of the Sardine, the oldest and most traditional event in Castilla-La Mancha.

Major Masks, King of the Carnival, Councilor for Celebrations, widows and widowers, the clergy, nuns and altar boys, street masks, boys and girls, with the accompaniment of two brass bands, paid honors and gave a well-deserved farewell to Mrs. Sardine.

At five in the afternoon, the funeral procession began its traditional procession through the streets of Miguelturra. The security forces of the Peña La Cabra group, led by Pepe “The Wolf”, opened the way, as has been the tradition for many years. The streets of Miguelturra packed with people who wanted to say goodbye to the unfortunate Sardine between sobs, cries, stamping their feet, smiles and dancing, said goodbye to Mrs. Sardine as she deserves.

On numerous occasions, the security of the Peña La Cabra had to intervene to prevent a small group of ‘Kittens’ from stealing the inert body of Mini Sardine, which lost some scales in the rifi-rafe.

Honors to the Carnival monument

The funeral procession as it passed by the monument to the Street Mask located in the Spain Square, with both sardines and carnival authorities at the head, paid him honors and showed their respect. 

At the end of the journey of this peculiar burial, the purifying fire blessed the inert bodies of the unfortunate sardines and like ‘To die is to live again’, they will return to the streets of Miguelturra again next year.

And just as the saying goes, “Eating and drinking are things that must be done”, the procession headed to the Peña la Cabra tent. There, they enjoyed about 100 kg of grilled sardines and a delicious lemonade, which undoubtedly calmed the dismay of those present.

‘Requiescat in pace’