Between February 16th – 26th, Alicante will be hosting one of Spain’s most colourful carnival parties of the year. The highlight of the festival is known as Ramblero, when all of Alicante heads out to join in the fun and festivities that mark the beginning of Lent.
Visitors to the city can expect an atmosphere of excitement and revelry to continue throughout the ten days, with the Rambla providing the epicentre of festivities. All year round, this avenue is the perfect place to take a quiet, relaxing stroll as it is filled with ice cream parlours, and outdoor cafés. During the festival however, the Rambla and its adjacent streets come to life with fun-loving revellers dressed in elaborate costumes as well as music, marching bands and dancing.
Spain’s Carnaval Festival is steeped in history. The term ‘Carnival’ literally means ‘farewell to the flesh’, a phrase referring to the excesses leading up to the sombre period of Lent. Some experts believe that the festival has its roots in the Roman Solstice festival, know as Saturnalia, when participants indulged in drinking, dancing and general merriment. Saturnalia is also thought to be where the world’s first parade floats originated.
Another highlight of the festival occurs on Ash Wednesday, when the unusual ritual known as the ‘Burial of the Sardine’ takes place. This tradition involves various Carnival fraternities marching through the city to deliver a Funeral Wake to ‘incinerate’ a sardine.
