Carnival on Tenerife

Puerto de la Cruz burns the sardine to close its carnival

A giant papier mache fish is paraded through town on Ash Wednesday, then set alight at the harbour with fireworks packed inside. Our pictures follow the mourners from the procession to the party on Plaza del Charco.

Johannes Bornewasser

2 min read

Funeral of the Sardine, Tenerife Carnival, 25 January — The Sardine's Funeral is undoubtedly one of the most bizarre traditions in the Canary Islands.

Funeral of the Sardine, Tenerife Carnival, 25 February — The giant fish is on display during the day and attracts hundreds of visitors.

Funeral of the Sardine, Tenerife Carnival, 25 March — A look inside the pumpkin next to the sardine reveals that it is all made of papier-mâché.

Funeral of the Sardine, Tenerife Carnival, 25 April — The Sardine stands on a metal frame that looks like wood. That's important, but more on that later...

Funeral of the Sardine, Tenerife Carnival, 25 May — In the evening, the sardine is paraded through the whole town. The mourners following behind weep loudly (or so they say - some visitors actually find it quite funny).

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Funeral of the Sardine, Tenerife Carnival, 25 June — The procession winds its way through the whole town. It starts off quietly, then music joins in later.

Funeral of the Sardine, Tenerife Carnival, 25 August — The sardine is placed on four metal barrels.

Funeral of the Sardine, Tenerife Carnival, 25 October — The effects thrill the audience and ensure...

Funeral of the Sardine, Tenerife Carnival, 25 November — ...so that the sardine goes up in flames completely.

Funeral of the Sardine, Tenerife Carnival, 25 December — And so it blazes brightly before the eyes of the large crowd of mourners - led by the Carnival Queen of Puerto de la Cruz.

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Funeral of the Sardine, Tenerife Carnival, 25 13 — To round off the grand finale, there'll be a fireworks display over the harbour.

Funeral of the Sardine, Tenerife Carnival, 25 14 — All that remains of the Sardine is its skeleton - and the metal frame, which is also non-flammable.

Funeral of the Sardine, Tenerife Carnival, 25 15 — Whilst the harbour is being tidied up, the onlookers move to the nearby Plaza del Charco.

Funeral of the Sardine, Tenerife Carnival, 25 16 — And there people party with loud music and dancing until the early morning.

Photos: This is the Carnival Queen of Puerto de la Cruz

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