SLIGO SPANISH SOCIETY - SOL Y SOMBRA

Today, as well as being Ash Wednesday - Miércoles de Ceniza - in Spain we celebrate The burial of the Sardine - El entierro de la Sardina. But, what is this exactly, and why do we celebrate it on a day like today? Well, it is important to mention that, for the last five days, Spanish people have been celebrating the festivity of Carnival. People dress up, dance, and take part in parades and fancy dress contests. El entierro de la Sardina  marks the end of the festival and introduces Cuaresma or Lent.  Carnival in the Canary islands. Credit: Radio televisión Canaria The burial of the Sardine consists in a parade where participants pretend to be sad and cry. They accompany a giant sardine generally made of cardboard and walk it around the area. At the end of the parade, the sardine is burnt. In some places, attendees can enjoy some fish that is cooked in the fire and there are bands playing some music.                                               A sardine being burnt. Credits: elplural

If there is something that Spanish people love about Christmas - apart from spending time with family and friends - is eating. By the 5th of January we can barely eat more food or sweets but we need to leave room in our stomachs for the last dessert of the holidays: the Roscón de Reyes.  The Roscón de Reyes is a large donut-like that we eat to celebrate the arrival of the three Kings or three Wise Men ( Los Reyes Magos ). They can be purchased in supermarkets and bakeries, generally they cost between five and twenty euros and they are filled with cream or chocolate or you can buy them just plain. They are ideal to eat with a nice cup of hot chocolate. On top of the traditional Roscón you can find almonds, sugar and candied fruit ( fruta confitada ) of different colours: red, green and orange. These resemble the jewels of the crowns that the Kings wear on their heads. Did you know that most people take off the fruit and do not even eat them?  What is the origin of the Roscón de Reyes? A