I noticed on our calendar that today was marked as the Enterrament de la Sardina.
This means the Burial of the Sardine.
It is the festival that marks the end of Carnaval and the beginning of Lent.
I forgot all about it until I passed through the Porxada today on my way home from the dentist.
View from the dentists surgery

Worth a visit just for this!
There was a band playing

and lots of people milling around.
A table with black net and fabric for making funeral hats

A large coffin with a giant figure inside

“He’s sleeping” one little boy said.
“No, he’s dead” said his mother matter of factly.
“But he’ll come back to life next year for Carnaval”
I think people were signing a book of condolence.

Here’s a site with an explanation of it all.
There is also a famous painting by Goya of El Entierro de la Sardina
This is a ceremony which I am sure would work well in Penzance – what about starting to celebrate Carnaval in Cornwall?