Oristano, Carnival opens with the “Waiting for Sartiglia” event

Oristano, Carnival opens with the “Waiting for Sartiglia” event

Saturday 3 February, from 17pm, in Oristano, the 2024 carnival opens with the event “Waiting for Sa Sartiglia”.

Croatian masks will parade in the squares and streets of the historic center “Didi s Kamesnice”. Together with them the Pro loco drumming group, the Sa Sartiglia drumming group, the drums and trumpets group of the city of Oristano and the folk group of the city of Oristano. The musical accompaniment will be provided by Vanni Masala.

The Croatian group Didi s Kamesnice features characters wearing five-foot-tall sheepskin hats and bells tied around their waists. The Didi (grandfathers) are the beating heart of a unique procession, typical of the Croatian carnival. They wear traditional clothes made from colorful fabrics. They recall a ritual battle between good spirits and the winter that they try to chase away with jumps and sounds.

The tradition of the group is 300 years old, but the group that will parade in Oristano was born 18 years ago to enhance the ancient custom. The procession is colourful, noisy and cheerful, and even if it seems chaotic it is the result of scrupulous preparation.