Madrid Carnival
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Madrid
Carnival
Carnivals in Spain
All the usual carnival traditions in
Madrid, burying the sardine, fancy dress, shows for the children, beer,
wine and food tasting for the adults.
Carnival has been celebrated in Madrid since Medieval times. This tradition was interrupted for many decades by General Franco, who banned the carnival since the Civil War. In 1976 this ban was lifted and ever since, the popular event is celebrated every year. On the last day of Carnival, Ash Wednesday the traditional „Entierro de la Sardina“ (The Burial of the sardine) is held on Paseo de la Florida. This marks the beginning of Lent. If you can't make it out as far as the Canary Islands don't worry - Madrid's carnival may not be the most raucous, but it certainly finishes in style. After a number of fancy dress competitions are held in different parts of the city, the pre-Lenten party culminates on Ash Wednesday with the Entierro de La Sardina, aka Burial of the Sardine. This is a Spanish tradition that ridicules the ancient ecclesiastical tradition of burying the fat to mark the beginning of Lenten fasting. Over the years, pig fat has become a sardine, although sometimes a dummy figure is buried, while the proceedings are definitely tongue-in-cheek. Madrid relies on its very own cockneys, or caztizos, to jazz up the occasion with a healthy dose of the burlesque. Some 60 or so members of the Burial of the Sardine Brotherhood, clad head-to-toe in their funeral finery (complete with top hat, a jaunty walk and a glint in the eye), lead a procession from San Antonio de Florida's Fuente de Parajitos, preceded by a vast feast of soon-to-be-forbidden pleasures. Whichever part of this 24-hour city you find yourself in during carnival, you'll encounter an indomitable spirit and love of life. Get stuck in Carnivals February |
Carnaval 2008 Madrid
1st - 6th February
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