In Spain,
in this city, in this museum, behind this door is a coffin
so sacred it’s protected by this security camera.
And what's in this special coffin?
A sardine, of course!
Entierro de la Sardina is a Spanish festival
that dates right back to the 1800s when a group of students decided
to hold a funeral march for a fish to mark the end of fasting
and lent.
Fast forward to present day
and the festival’s grown into a jam-packed party weekend.
And it all ends with the burning of a huge sardine.
Cities across Spain and the Canary Islands have their own carnival celebrations,
but Murcia’s festival is legendary.
As President, Jose oversees the Sardineros.
400 locals, divided into 23 groups
who are in charge of the festival floats and celebrations.
All weekend festival goers are showered with gifts, so you better pack light!
Oh yeah.
This is Pablo, by the way. The festival's very own mascot.
And no festival is complete without its leading lady.
Each year, a Doña Sardina is appointed the Sardine Queen.
The day before the final parade,
Doña Sardina reads her will.
It is a funeral after all!
And this is the moment they’ve all been waiting for.