The Merry Mourning: The Festival of the Burial of the Sardine in Madrid

The “Entierro de la Sardina” (Burial of the Sardine) is a tradition of Spanish origin, born in Madrid, which marks the end of the Carnival period. It consists in a parade that mocks a funeral procession and that culminates with the burning of the effigy of a sardine that is claimed to have died. Contrary to other similar rites, this one takes place already on Ash Wednesday, an invasion of the Lenten period for which the festival has been criticised. In this contribution, I will present and analyse this celebration in contemporary Madrid, its near disappearance after de Civil War, its rebirth in 1950, and the modifications that the progressive urbanization of the city has entailed for the rite.