Oristano: Candlemas Festival, first official act preceding the Sartiglia

Today, February 2nd, we celebrate Candelora which in Oristano coincides with the first official act of the Sartiglia. The party, which has its roots in history and It is celebrated in different parts of the world, here it takes on a special value: it is the moment in which the presidents of the Farmers' and Carpenters' Guilds deliver the blessed candles to the Componidoris, thus starting the journey that will culminate in the famous equestrian joust. This year the blessed candle will be delivered to Diego Pinna, who will lead the Farmers' Sartiglia, and Salvatore Aru, the Componidori chosen for the Carpenters' Sartiglia.

Candlemas is one of the most heartfelt events of the celebration, capable of involving not only the protagonists of the joust, but also the entire community. Numerous citizens participate in the religious ceremonies: the first mass will be celebrated at 7 in the Church of San Giovanni dei Fiori for the Farmers' Guild, while at 8 in the Cathedral of Santa Maria the Carpenters' Guild will be celebrated. During these functions the candles are blessed, which will then be donated to the members closest to the guilds, including the Archbishop and the Mayor of Oristano.

The delivery of the blessed candles to the Componidoris represents a solemn and emotional moment: the candle with red bows for the Componidori dei Contadini It will be delivered at 12.30 in via Monteverdi, while the one with pink and light blue bows for the Componidori dei Falegnami will be donated at 12 in via Dettori.

The Pro Loco will also participate in the celebrations with the 8am mass in the church of Sant'Efisio, broadcast live nationwide by Radio Maria, and with the delivery of the candle to Su Componidoreddu Giulia Atzei, scheduled for 10 am in via Sicilia, in Silì.

The entire ceremony will be accompanied by the suggestive rhythm of the drummers and trumpeters, while the presidents of the Guilds, Gabriele Pinna and Antonello Fenu, will pronounce the traditional invocations of good luck: “Santu Giuanni t'aggiudidi” for the Farmers and “Santu Giuseppi t'assistada” for the Carpenters. With Candelora, Oristano officially enters the climate of the Sartiglia, renewing a tradition that unites history, faith and equestrian passion.