The countdown has begun in the town of Mandrolisai for “A Maimone”, the evocative traditional Sardinian carnival held in Samugheo and which, this year, will be an integral part of the programme of events promoted by the Regional Tourism Department .
The date chosen by the Mamutzones de Samugheo cultural association, a leading organizer of the event that attracts thousands of visitors, is Sunday, February 8th . Meanwhile, in Samugheo, the news of its inclusion in the regional calendar of events has been greeted with enthusiasm.
Igor Saderi, president of the association , has no doubts: "The inclusion of A Maimone in the program of Carnival events promoted by the Regional Department of Tourism is a source of great pride and satisfaction for us, as well as recognition of the work we've done over nearly thirty years of activity. This demonstration of esteem for the value of our work is a sign of attention to projects that promote quality, territorial identity, and the ability to attract a wide audience, thus contributing to strengthening our region's tourism and cultural offerings."
Mayor Basilio Patta echoes his sentiments: "It's certainly a tremendous satisfaction for our town, and it only enhances the established reputation of A Maimone, earned year after year." But the mayor doesn't hide some concerns: "It will determine strategic decisions for the Administration in terms of logistics, because we aren't equipped to welcome 15,000 people in a single day . We'll need to think about where to park the arriving vehicles and manage the reception, taking into account the resources the Administration has available."
Meanwhile, on February 8th, the twenty-ninth edition of A Maimone will take place, where ancestral rites, masks, and community merge into a timeless experience. Fresh from the 2025 edition that welcomed thousands of visitors from across the island and beyond, the flagship event of the Samughese carnival is once again preparing to transform the town into a theater of ancestral anthropomorphic and zoomorphic masks, coarse wool costumes, goatskins, and cowbells, all accompanied by propitiatory dances and rituals that evoke the mystery and allure of the past.
"In the coming weeks, we will unveil the program and new features for an edition that brings us closer to the prestigious milestone of our thirtieth anniversary," adds Igor Saderi. "We've been working for weeks to offer spectators a truly engaging experience." The carnival atmosphere will begin to take hold on the evening of Friday, January 16th, with the customary and traditional first outing of the Mamutzones for the bonfires lit in honor of Sant'Antoni di su fogu . A first taste of the charm that the ancient Samughese masks can offer. And already on this occasion, many people flock to the town of Mandrolisai.