Entroido in Pontevedra: A Carnaval Celebration Like No Other
In Spain, people don’t generally celebrate Mardi Gras, Pi Day, or St. Patrick’s Day. But there’s a festival that is even more fun: Entroido! That’s the word for Carnaval in Galician, and in Pontevedra, it’s a spectacle of costumes, parades, and a grand funeral procession for a giant parrot.
Why Is Carnaval Celebrated?
Carnaval is a festival celebrated in many countries worldwide, from Brazil to Venice to the Canary Islands. Rooted in Christian traditions, it takes place just before Lent—a period of fasting and abstinence leading up to Easter. Historically, people would indulge in food, drink, and revelry before the solemn season began. Over time, the festival evolved into a massive celebration of life, creativity, and cultural identity, often featuring elaborate costumes and parades.
Entroido in Pontevedra: A 16-Day Extravaganza
Entroido in Pontevedra is usually a nine-day event, but this year, due to rain, the final act—el entierro de Ravachol—was postponed for a week, stretching the festival to 16 days. Here’s how I experienced it:
Friday, February 28 – Intercambio de Idiomas in Costume
My friend José, who organizes the Intercambio de Idiomas group in Pontevedra, encouraged everyone to dress up for Entroido. We had a huge turnout, and most people took part. Luckily, Andrea had a collection of costumes from her childhood, and she let me borrow one. I chose an Egyptian outfit—a regal look for the evening.
José took a group photo and later submitted it to the Diario de Pontevedra, which published it in their print edition. A fun start to the festival!
Saturday, March 1 – The Grand Parade
One of the biggest highlights of Entroido is the parade through town. Pontevedra’s streets were filled with school-aged kids and adults alike, all dressed in colorful and creative costumes. It was a visual feast, with entire groups coordinating their outfits to match themes ranging from fantasy to pop culture.
I’ve included photos at the bottom of this post to capture the spirit of the event.
Monday, March 3 – A Surprise Encounter with Ravachol
While I was out for a bike ride in the hills north of Pontevedra, a truck suddenly overtook me carrying a giant papier-mâché version of Ravachol—Pontevedra’s beloved mascot.
Getting passed by a massive red-and-green Ravachol standing on the back of a flatbed truck was hilarious! Unfortunately, I was climbing uphill and couldn’t keep up to get a photo, but I’ve included an AI-generated image to give an idea of what I saw.
How did Ravachol become an icon of Pontevedra? He was a real parrot that belonged to a famous 19th-century pharmacist named Perfecto Feijoo. The bird became well known for its witty remarks and antics—and also for having a potty mouth!—often entertaining visitors at the pharmacy in Plaza de la Peregrina.
After his passing, Ravachol was immortalized in Pontevedra’s folklore and is now the unofficial symbol of Entroido.
Tuesday, March 4 – Pirate’s Night
This was officially Pirate’s Day, and that evening, we went out for drinks. Every single person—kids and adults alike—was dressed as a pirate! It was quite the scene, with Pontevedra looking like a gathering of buccaneers.
Maybe next year, I’ll join in and wear an eye patch and a tricorn hat!
Friday, March 15 – The Funeral of Ravachol
A week after its original date, the final event of Entroido took place: the funeral of Ravachol. By now, he had been moved from Plaza de la Peregrina to Plaza de la Verdura and dressed up in a full outfit—a white shirt, black vest, khaki pants, and holding a megaphone that said “director.”
Marching bands from local schools filled the streets, playing somber yet festive music. Meanwhile, dramatic “mourners” followed Ravachol, wailing in exaggerated sorrow, crying out: “¡Ay, Ravachol!”—a theatrical display fitting for the event.
As Ravachol was slowly paraded through Pontevedra, I attempted to “leapfrog” ahead of him, anticipating his route through the city’s narrow streets. It became a fun adventure, as I caught glimpses of him from different angles while dodging the crowds and musicians.
Finally, the procession reached its destination: a public square near the Iglesia de la Virgen Peregrina. There, in front of hundreds of spectators, Ravachol was set on fire!
This dramatic ending coincided with another celestial event—the morning after a lunar eclipse. While I couldn’t see the eclipse due to the hills blocking my view, I did see a brilliant full moon during Ravachol’s fiery farewell.
And with that, Entroido 2025 came to a close. Until next year!
Video
Here’s a compilation of some video I took of the parades during Entroido:
Have you ever experienced Entroido or another Carnaval celebration? Let me know in the comments!
There are 3 comments.
Thank you for sharing this experience and the photos. You look angelic. Here in FC, more than ever of us are benefitting from the conversation groups you started. At least, as far as French and Spanish are concerned, such big and wonderful groups. You have truly gifted us and it is the gift that keep on giving. Thank you Felix. -Mia
I’m curious to know why they burn the parrot? It feels sad to me, but I don’t get the impression people there are sad?
Hi Mia! Thank you for your kind words. I’m so happy to hear that the conversation groups in Fort Collins are thriving and that they continue to bring people together.
As for Ravachol the parrot, I understand why it might seem sad! But I suppose the burning of Ravachol is more of a theatrical farewell than a mournful event. It’s a playful tradition marking the end of Entroido, almost like a satirical send-off. People actually have a lot of fun with it, and there’s more laughter than sorrow. That said, it does have an air of finality, like saying goodbye to the carnival spirit until next year.
I also get the sense that burning giant papier-mâché figures is a popular tradition across Spain. For example, in Valencia’s Las Fallas festival every March, neighborhoods create elaborate sculptures—only to set them ablaze in grand, fiery celebrations.
Hope all is well in Fort Collins, and thanks again for your thoughtful comment!