On August 14 of each year it repeats unchanged for centuries. The Faradda is the moment when the whole community meets, united, along the streets of the historic center of Sassari. It is not only a show, it is above all faith. Because in the strenuous gesture of leading the wooden candles on a path that puts to the test the bearers there is the will to thank the sleeping Madonna in the church of Santa Maria di Betlem. As well as last year, the vote will not be dissolved inside the church as usual, but outside, in Santa Maria square. This choice was made necessary following the important consolidation and restoration works o the church. The Faradda, as usual, will be preceded by initiatives that animate the city from the beginning of August with the characteristic sounds of drums and agile dances of the bearers.
The programme
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The Piccoli Candelieri. With their colors, their enthusiasm, their joy and joy will mark the start of the events that will then lead to the traditional descent on August 14. Sunday, August 4, from 18, 300 children (the youngest is just 3 years old and is part of a group where many participants are between 4 and 6 years) will have fun parading and dancing with their 20 mini candles to the rhythm of drums. Among the 12 girls who will participate, three will be head candlesticks. The initiative, organized by the Intergremio City of Sassari in collaboration with the Municipality of Sassari, is dedicated to young aspiring bearers and drummers. This year the starting point will be Piazza Sant’Antonio. The route remains unchanged: the little ones will walk along Corso Vico to the square of the church of Santa Maria in Betlem where they will gather in a festive atmosphere and sharing. At the end of the event, each participant will be given a medal in memory of the event.
The Candelieri Medi. Friday, August 9 at 17 appointment with the parade of Candelieri Medi, from Largo Cavallotti to Piazza Santa Maria. It is an event particularly felt and strongly desired by the young people of Sassari, who for years independently organize the event, demonstrating a deep passion and a strong dedication to the traditions linked to the Faradda.
The ceremony of the Golden, Silver and special Gold Candeliere. Monday 12, at 8 pm, in Piazza Santa Caterina, returns one of the most exciting moments among those that accompany the city to 14 August: the award ceremony of the Golden Candlestick, Silver and special Gold. Until Wednesday, 9 August, at 12.00, you can send your questions to the offices of the Culture Sector, in largo Infermeria San Pietro or by e-mail to cultura@comune.sassari.it. The evening will be presented by the journalist from Sassari, Rachele Falchi.
Concert for the Candelieri. Tuesday, August 13 the band “Luigi Canepa” will perform at 20.30 in piazza Santa Caterina with the traditional “Concert for the Candelieri”, now in its 25th edition.
The dressing of the Flag and the Ceri. On August 14 the Candlesticks Festival will begin, as per tradition, with the dressing of the votive candles that takes place according to a precise ritual, in the seat of the guild or in the house of the Obligere di Candeliere, the guild who has the honor and the responsibility of the votive candle. From 10 will be possible to visit the sites, indicated in the leaflet made by the City and easily recognizable by the banners placed at the entrance of the house of the guild.
In the morning, the mayor Giuseppe Mascia will welcome to Palazzo Ducale the Massai’s members and the band. The procession will head to the City Palace where, in the hall of representation, it will be held the dressing of the flag by the guild. Immediately after the Massai will expose it from the balcony of the Palace. Once the ceremony is over, the mayor and the committee will visit the headquarters of the gree to watch the dressing. On this occasion the plates are handed over to the obsidians, the floral tributes to the women of the gree and the medals to the bearers.
La Faradda. Among the most exciting moments, the departure of the candles, at 18 from Piazza Castello. They will parade with the following order of descent: Peasants, Autoferrotranvieri, Butchers, Blacksmiths, Piccapietre, Viandanti, Vegetable Farmers, Carpenters, Ortolani, Shoemakers, Tailors, Bricklayers, Massai. At the City Palace there will be the traditional toast “zent’anni”, between the mayor Giuseppe Mascia and the Massai guild.
The route of the descent crosses the historic center along the Vittorio Emanuele II and Vico courses to end in Santa Maria di Betlem square, where the vow to Our Lady will be dissolved that will be exposed outside the church following the important works of consolidation and restoration in progress.
Once the vote is dissolved, the Candlesticks are kept inside the cloister, where they will remain until the so-called “Octave”: eight days after the day of Ferragosto. As usual and tradition, the Massai guild together with the band will accompany the mayor and the junta to the Doge’s Palace for the delivery of the Town Hall Banner and the guild flag.
The safety of participants and the public will be guaranteed by a special security plan prepared by the municipal administration.
