January 23rd, 2008
Sardinia, Grand Festivals in Sassari and Sedilo
Sardinia, Grand Festivals in Sassari and Sedilo
By Ina Woolcott
In Sardinia the most popular festival today is unquestionably the Festha manna, (the Grand Festival) which takes place in Sassari. It is an important event for the local people and is greeted with great enthusiasm annually.
It takes place on the 14th August with the aradda di li candareri (the descent of the candlesticks) and is an ancient tradition, which renews a vow made by the local people in 1560 to save the town from the plague. People from the eight neighbourhoods, which make up the city of Sassari, perform the faradda (the descent), together with, 1000s of tourists. The precession begins at the historical town centre and precedes through the city to the church of S. Maria di Betlem, bearing columns of wood 3 metres high, with a diameter of 40 cm. Each column rests on a pedestal base
with bars on all four sides, so the whole unit can be raised. The column is painted with the particular colours of the gremio, or neighbourhood, and depicts images of the Patron Saint.
Another big festival that takes place annually from July 5th -7th on Sardinia is L’ardia DI San Costantino, commemorating Constantine’s victory over Maxentious at the Mulvian Bridge in 312, where Constantine is reported to have seen a flaming cross inscribed with the words “in this sign thou shall conquer”. Constantine’s charge is recreated with a monumental horse race on the grounds of the Sanctuario DI San Costantino, just outside Sedilo’s eastern boundary. On the eve of the race, horses and riders gather on a hill outside the sanctuary grounds. The local priest and the mayor give grand speeches, after which the horses charge down the hill, the man representing Constantine first, his two flag bearers next, then the thundering herd close behind. Once the Sanctuary is reached, they stop and circle the sanctuary slowly, getting blessed by the priest each time they pass the front gate-seven times. Constantine takes off after the sixth pass,
leading all challengers to the dry fountain that marks the end of the race. Afterwards the crowd eases toward an open field to eat.
The Festivals of Sardinia
Two of the many festivals on the island of Sardinia are shown, with some background on music, food, and traditional dance in Sardinia.
Related reading:
The Rough Guide to Sardinia (Rough Guide Travel Guides)
Sardinia GeoCenter Euro Map
Sardinia (Lonely Planet Regional Guides)
