Burial of the Sardine lights up Puerto de la Cruz in pictures
A papier mache fish is paraded through town by mock widows and incense bearers before being burned at the harbour. On Tenerife, Ash Wednesday marks the start of the street carnival rather than its end.
Johannes Bornewasser is an author, journalist and editor-in-chief of Teneriffa News. He is regarded as a recognised expert on the Canary Islands. Bornewasser is also responsible for the editorial content of the website.
3 min read
The procession to the 'burial' of the sardine often takes place after dark. That's when the lighting effects really come into their own. Photo: Ulrike Bornewasser
The funeral procession is usually led by incense. For the Sardine's funeral, the nearby shops even suspend their street trading and temporarily clear their terraces completely. Photo Teneriffa News
This allows thousands of people to take part in the 'Sardine' procession to the bonfire. The Coso attracts thousands of visitors from the surrounding area to the town centre. Photo: Juppi M.
And where there's incense, a clergyman is, of course, a must. Photo: Ulrike Bornewasser
The ladies-in-waiting are, of course, taking part in the funeral procession. Photo: Ulrike Bornewasser
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Many men dress up as widowed women. They often wear veils. Or, as here, something more or less similar. Photo: Johannes Bornewasser
What a tempting sight... Photo: Johannes Bornewasser
The sardine is painstakingly crafted from papier-mâché. Photo: Ulrike Bornewasser
It is then paraded through the whole town. Photo: Ulrike Bornewasser
In Puerto de la Cruz, the funeral procession ends at the harbour. There, the sardine is ceremonially burnt. The spectacle attracts locals and visitors alike. Photo: Johannes Bornewasser
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In the end, only the wire frame remains. Photo: Johannes Bornewasser
Following the burning, a grand fireworks display marks the start of the street carnival in Puerto de la Cruz. Photo: Ulrike Bornewasser
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