Maspalomas bids farewell to its Carnival with the Burial of the Sardine and announces "The World of the Circus" as an allegory for 2026.

 

PHOTO GALLERY HERE

 

 

The Maspalomas International Carnival closed its 2025 edition, the 51st in its history, this Sunday with overwhelming success. Saturday, for example, saw what is likely the largest Grand Parade in the history of this carnival, with nearly 370.000 attendees. Public attendance was also notable this Sunday, as the sardine procession marched down Avenida 8 de Marzo for the reading of the will, led by the versatile Dani Calero, and the burning of the sardine. The procession was also attended by the Mayor, Marco Aurelio Pérez; the First Deputy Mayor, Alejandro Marichal; and the Councilor for Tourism, Events and Celebrations, Yilenia Vega, among other members of the local council. The large procession also included the participation of the batucada groups "Caribe creando escuela" and "Los piratas del Caribe" (Caribe Creating School) and the comparsas "Yoruba" and "Chirimay". There were also "Carnival Characters," including the president of the group, Enrique Legaza "El Escocés," and other characters such as "Manolita," the Channel 69 reporter, the Bishop, Father Rocha, and the Mad Hatter, along with dozens of carnival widows who wept all along the way.

 

 

 

Upon reaching the beach, Councilor Yilenia Vega welcomed the audience and asked Dani Calero to read the will of "His Majesty the sardine," making it clear that this year's Southern Carnival was being bid farewell "with sorrow but with the joy of living under his mantle, a Carnival that will go down in history." Then it was time to reveal next year's allegory. This honor went to Yilenia Vega, who announced that, with 53% of the votes, the most voted option was "The World of the Circus." Mayor Marco Aurelio Pérez then thanked everyone who participated in this carnival and made it "a true celebration of joy and fantasy." Afterward, he ordered the burning of the sardine, which took place on the beach by the light of fireworks.

 

Long gone are those March 19ths, when the contestants were introduced to the public and the drawing for the starting order of each gala was held at the Yumbo Shopping Center. The following day, Juana Teresa won the title of Grand Dame, and that same Friday, Aylin Climent won the title of Children's Queen. Then came the big night for Sarina Hernández, Carnival Queen, and the Children's Parade and Daytime Carnival, held on the first Sunday of the festivities.

 

 

 

The second week continued with the Gala Sin Barreras, the Choreographic Festival, and the Canine Carnival, where the dog "Niña" made a grand entrance, winning for the second year in a row. Thursday saw the highly anticipated Drag Gala, and on Friday, the Sardine Rescue, the Carnival in the Sun, and the Tourist Gala...

 

Thus, remembering all the good times, the tears of the sardine group are understandable. However, last Friday, before passing away, the sardine gave birth to her daughter, who will surely accompany us in next year's edition. We already know it will be dedicated to "The World of the Circus" because that's what the citizens decided. In 2026, there will be time to ask those questions: How are youeeees? See you next year, dude!