Cagliari, the Christmas tree that doesn't exist (yet). The day of the Immaculate Conception passed in vain: no installation in piazza Garibaldi, nor in piazza Italia. These are the locations decided by the Municipality for setting up trees, real or stylized, decorated for the holidays. Yet the tender for the assignment of the service had been banned in time.
The notice for the search for specialized companies has been online since 10 November. The money is also ready: there are 49,180 euros available. They asked for the "creation and setting up of two Christmas trees, to be installed in Piazza Garibaldi, with a minimum height of 10 meters and a minimum diameter of 5 meters, and in Piazza Italia in Pirri, with a minimum height of 2 meters and a maximum of 4.5 meters and with a maximum diameter of 2.5 meters”. Deadline for submitting bids: November 21st.
The offers have arrived. But something has gone wrong: the party is just two weeks away, meanwhile the squares remain empty.
The explanation comes from Alessandro Sorgia, Councilor for Productive Activities. It was the offices under his control that managed the match: "There were some delays because the first successful bidder, at the last moment, gave up due to technical problems and the second was called".
So the contract had been awarded, but the winner withdrew. What is the time frame for replacement? «The new company has already moved», adds Sorgia, «and we are waiting for an answer. Let's hope you arrive soon." Meanwhile, the date of Jesus' birth is getting closer and closer.
Henry Fresu