March 14 The Giant Sardine of Murcia arrives in San Javier!
This is the third time San Javier has been honoured to celebrate the prologue of the annual spring fiestas in the city of Murcia
Every year on Easter Sunday much of Spain begins returning to normal after the religious fervour of the Easter processions, but in the city of Murcia Resurrection Sunday sees the city’s parks and squares filling up with “barracas” or open-air restaurants as the city prepares for its own week-long Fiestas de Primavera, or Spring Fiestas.
The culmination of these fiestas is the Entierro de la Sardina (Burial of the Sardine) on the following Saturday night, when the ceremonial cremation (not burial!) of a giant papier mâché sardine signals the end of one of the largest street parties of the year. However, the sardine doesn’t just appear in Murcia for its ritual incineration, and this year, which marks the 175th anniversary of the much-loved tradition, it is arriving far earlier on Saturday 14th March in the Mar Menor town of San Javier.
It will then arrive in Murcia on Easter Sunday (5th April) before its Last Will and Testament is read out and it is cremated on Saturday 11th.
José Miguel Luengo, the Mayor of San Javier, has revealed that the Sardine will reach the town by air, land and sea, also recognizing the honour which has been bestowed on the municipality for only the third time. A series of events will accompany the arrival on 14th March , beginning with the journey by boat across the Mar Menor from the Estacio bridge. It will arrive in Santiago de la Ribera for a spectacular ceremony at 12.00 midday, and at the same time groups of “sardineros” will be making there way in a parade from Plaza del Olivo along Avenida Sandoval to the Explanada, to land their big fish.
This will be followed by free barbecued sardines and a cold beer for all, while music is provided by singer Dora Helena and Dj Raúl. Later, at 19.30, a grand parade leaves the Cuatro Picos crossroads heading for the Plaza de España, where the official reception takes place.
This is followed, inevitably, by more music until well into the night, namely a show called “Los número 1 con Diego Martín”.
In addition, on Friday 13th March a new bronze and marble sculpture by Nicolás de Maya is to be unveiled in Parque Almansa commemorating the three occasions on which the Sardine has been welcomed by San Javier, in 1997, 2016 and 2026.
For more local events, news and visiting information contact the tourist offices of San Javier (main contact number 661 572285) or go to the home page of San Javier Today.