March 7 Commemorative recreation of the Entierro de la Sardina parade in Murcia

A recreation of the Sardine parade of 1919 in the centre of the city of Murcia

The Entierro de la Sardina in the city of Murcia has become one of the largest annual events in the regional capital over the last few decades, with the number of people in the streets having been reported to be over a million on various occasions, and 2026 marks the 175^th anniversary of a tradition which now forms part of the social and cultural identity of Murcia.

Although the parade and ceremonies translate as “the burial of the sardine”, the culmination of the event is in fact the ceremonial cremation of a large papier mâché sardine, and in this anniversary parade being held on Saturday 7^th March it has been decided that the intention is to recreate the one held in 1919 (because the lack of photographic evidence makes it impossible to go back to the first one in 1856!). The look of the parade is based on the coverage of the long-gone newspaper El Liberal on 23^rd April 1919, the year the sardine returned to the streets of Murcia after a hiatus during the First World War (although Spain was not a participant in that conflict, it caused severe economic problems and shortages of essential supplies).

Money and materials were still scarce in 1919 and the shopkeepers of Murcia created floats from old delivery carts, creating garish figures from cardboard with an ingenuity which delighted the entertainment-starved public.

300 people are taking part in this recreation, while 60 more have been involved in its preparation. The 5 floats will manned by crews, with each one receiving a name (“Hell”, “Dragons”, “Apollo” and “Sirens and Sardines”), the last being a faithful reconstruction of one of those described by El Liberal.

Music also plays its part and among guest groups are the Modernists of Cartagena, the GIants and Big Heads of Cehegín and the Big Heads of Murcia, all of them important folk figures in popular lore.

The route of the parade begins in the district of San Antolín (near the bus station), where the first Entierro de la Sardina took place in 1856, and ends in Plaza de Santo Domingo. The Last Will and Testament of the Sardine will be delivered at the Casino and will then be read out loud in Santo Domingo before the ritual cremation takes place.

The day of celebration begins at 12.00 midday in San Antolín with live music and DJs, while bars in the area will be sardine tapas at outdoor bars.

Trying to make sense of this tradition is a tricky task, but the Entierro de la Sardina is a kind of Carnival parade held the weekend after Easter Sunday, and this sounds like a fun occasion to attend!

Images: Facebook (José Ballesta, Mayor of Murcia)

For more upcoming events in the Region of Murcia go to the What’s on section of Murcia Today.