History of the CANDÁS sardine festival

History of the festival

History of the CANDÁS sardine festival

History of the CANDÁS sardine festival
History of the CANDÁS sardine festival

The origins in the port in 1970

The Sardine Festival originated in 1970, promoted by Joaquín Rodríguez, the founder of the event as a member of the CANDÁS FESTIVITIES ASSOCIATION, under the presidency of Mr Isidro Rafael García del Busto. In its beginnings, it was held in the town's port.

In 1973, José Ángel Alonso Jesús, a Distinguished Citizen of Carreño, wrote about the origins of the festival in an article in La Voz de Avilés: “On the first of August, the whole province will pay homage to the modest sardine, which will be grilled to achieve the best flavour, and must be eaten as quoted in one of the ten commandments of universal cuisine: knowing how to eat the sardine, from head to tail, with sticky fingers, is an essential requirement. Grilled to perfection. And that is the reason for the competition. There are perfect sardine cooks who know how to grill sardines to give perfection.”

In 1993, the organisers appealed to the participating establishments to serve the sardines in seafaring costumes. Since then, on the festivities of St. Félix, the citizens of CANDÁS dress up for the occasion. The women wear “sardinera” costumes and a Candás shawl. The men wear “mahon” suits and blue neckerchiefs.

In the same year, a set of rules to improve the Festival were drawn up by Pedro Morán Quirós, José Antonio Fidalgo and Alain Fernández.

The leap into the 21st century

The festival has been held continuously since 1970, with the exception of the 2020 and 2021 editions, as a result of the covid19 pandemic. For its first three decades, the event was held in the port of CANDÁS, where the CANDÁS National Fish Canning Fair is now held

In the year 2000, the Sardine Festival moved to the St. Antonio Promenade, a larger and more accessible venue, which responded better to the new needs of the event and the increasing number of visitors.

Throughout the 21st century, with the new location as the distinguishing feature of the festival, it has become one of the most important summer festivals in Asturias, achieving a national and international dimension.

50th Anniversary Celebrations

In 2019, the Sardine Festival celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a special edition in which key figures and entities that, over time, have contributed to the growth of the event with their selfless efforts, were awarded prizes.

The six Sardines of Honour were awarded to Joaquín Rodríguez, founder of the Sardine Festival in 1970; the Peña El Nodo, as a tribute to the cooks who have made history at the event; to Chef Pedro Morán Quirós, for his collaboration in the contest since 1993, drawing up the rules of the gastronomic competition and acting as president of the jury since then; to Ángel Riego, for reinvigorating the festival as mayor of Carreño from 1999 to 2015, achieving its designation as a Festival of Regional Tourist Interest; to César Pérez, now deceased, for having designed the trophy that is awarded to the winning establishments; and to the Malaga chef Dani García (3 Michelin stars), who, by participating on the jury, contributed to the recognition of the festival as an event of national significance. The Sardine Festival originated in 1970, promoted by Joaquín Rodríguez from Candás, the event's founder. In its beginnings, it was held in the town's port. In 1973, José Ángel Alonso Jesús, a Distinguished Citizen of Carreño, wrote about the origins of the festival in an article in La Voz de Avilés.  History of the Sardine Festival of CANDÁS..