Curro - Spain's Mascot: April 2013

Sunday, 28 April 2013

Sa Die de Sa Sardigna

This festival commemorates the 'reawakening' of the Sardinian people when they revolted on 28 April 1794 against the domination of Piedmont in Sardinia by forcing the expulsion of the Piedmontese viceroy , Balbiano, from Sardinia. The revolt was spurred by the refusal of the King, based in Turin, to reinstate the basic rights of the people of Sardinia which had been previously guaranteed by Treaty. Since 14 September 1993, when the Parliament of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia passed a law formally recognising the festival, Sardinians all over the world got together to celebrate 'Sa Die De Sa Sardigna'.

Sardinians are proud of their history, language and culture and on this day celebrate the richness of their heritage which has survived and flourished, perhaps despite their struggles under the dominion of the many foreign invaders who were present on the island through the centuries, attracted particularly by Sardinia's natural resources and strategic position.

This special day means not only remembering the past but getting together with family, friends, Sardinians and lovers of Sardinia and to be grateful for the richness Sardinia has contributed to all our lives.

Sunday, 21 April 2013

We have the same feast in Spain!!!

This year fell on April 21st, but the feast of Sant’Isidoro in Ghilarza is not always on the same date. Usually set on the second Sunday after Easter, the feast in honor of farmers’ patron is celebrated in different days throughout Sardinia.

The parade that in Ghilarza takes place on the second Sunday after Easter is the last performance of the religious celebrations in honor of the saint. The horses come first, some obedient some more “independent”, followed by tractors and bulls embellished by flowers and ears of wheat to symbolize farmers’ work. After the bulls is the parade of traditionals costumes, different for each village, and finally the priest, his helpers and the townspeople praying and closing the procession.Lined up on the sides are men blank shooting with their rifles all along the way.