The countdown has begun: on Sunday, October 25th, Siddi will once again be a centerpiece of Sardinian culture, food and wine with the nineteenth edition of Appetitosamente, the Regional Festival of Good Food. Everything is ready for a day that intertwines gastronomy, music, archaeology, performances, and popular traditions. The theme chosen for 2026 is "Food and the Cult of the Dead," a journey through rituals, flavors, and collective memory that will engage the entire town, transforming streets, squares, homes, and archaeological sites into places of encounter and sharing.
Behind the event is the work that has engaged the Villa Silli Cooperative, which is involved in organizing the festival, and the Appetitosamente 2021 Committee, which is financially supporting its organization, for many months. This commitment is shared with the municipal administration, the associations, and the many volunteers who participate in the preparation of the events.
This year, the involvement of the residents takes on a special significance. For four months, numerous citizens have been working on the artistic installations for "Behind the Corner," a series of works, screenings, and speeches dedicated to this year's theme, which will be open to visitors during the event. The collective project benefits from the artistic and organizational support of the Officine Sonore cultural association, which is responsible for designing and creating the installations along the town's streets.
The work of art of an entire community
"It's a source of pride for us. We've been running Appetitosamente for twenty years now. We only stopped for two years during the Covid period, and we're very satisfied with the results of this event, which continued with the support of other administrations, but above all with the involvement of the entire community. This, in my opinion, is the most important achievement," says Siddi's mayor, Marco Pisanu.
This milestone demonstrates the ability of a small town in the Marmilla region to organize an event of regional significance thanks to collective effort. This commitment continues throughout the year, through cultural initiatives, educational activities, and projects to enhance the local area.
"I always say that Siddi is a collaborative community," emphasizes Pisanu, who sees citizen participation as a fundamental resource for strengthening the town's cohesion and making it increasingly attractive.
The growth of Siddi and the fight against depopulation are two of the administration's objectives. This approach also involves enhancing the town's environmental and archaeological heritage and fostering international collaborations, including that with the University of Cambridge, consolidated through summer schools and research and training programs hosted in the town.
"We already have four new families who have purchased homes and are very happy with them. They're truly delighted and are also participating in all the preparations for Appetitosamente," adds the mayor.
Food, Death and Memory
The theme chosen for this edition will be the focus of meetings, gastronomic experiences, and shows that will retrace the traditions linked to the relationship between the world of the living and that of the dead.
Among the participants is cultural anthropologist and journalist Alessandra Guigoni, who at 11:30 a.m. at Casa Steri will participate in Ritual Gestures, a meeting dedicated to the customs and foods associated with the cult of the deceased.
"The Table of the Dead is an ancestral rite, of pre-Christian origin, which served to commemorate loved ones through special foods, exorcise the fear of death, and gain the benevolence of the spirits. It was believed that the dead returned to earth for one night, entering the world of the living. A Mediterranean belief that gave rise to Halloween and modern myths such as those of zombies and ghosts," explains Guigoni.
Francesco Medda Arrogalla will interpret the theme through music at 9:30 am at the Tomba di Giganti Sa Domu 'e S'Orcu, together with Lia Careddu and Carlo Spiga Makika, of the Morti candu bolis project.
"With Morti Candu Bollis, we talk about death in a positive sense, through imaginary soundscapes, electronic music, electroneddas, acoustic instruments, and voices. It's a project specifically designed for unusual spaces, inspired by a well-known traditional Sardinian song and featuring the special participation of actress Lia Careddu," explains Arrogalla.
The program
Sunday, October 25th
8:00 AM – Opening of the event. The nineteenth edition of Appetitosamente kicks off in Piazza Leonardo da Vinci.
8.15am – Walking with gusto. Walk towards the Tomb of Giants Sa Domu 'e S'Orcu.
9:30 AM – Breakfast at… the Ogre. At the Tomba di Giganti, the musical project Morti candu bolis by Francesco Medda Arrogalla, Lia Careddu, and Carlo Spiga Makika will perform. Electronics, launeddas, guitars, and vocals will accompany the event, which will conclude with su murzu, the traditional mid-morning breakfast.
11:30 a.m. – Ritual Gestures. At Casa Steri, a meeting dedicated to the customs and foods associated with the cult of the dead, with Alessandra Guigoni, the Pasta Ladies of Siddi, and Luciana Baso of the Quartomoro di Sardegna winery in Marrubiu, deputy delegate of the National Association of Women in Wine Sardinia. Stories and guided tastings.
11:30 a.m. – Food and Memory. An immersive and sensory journey through stages curated by Officine Sonore, including the parish church, the church of San Michele, and Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, with narration, discovery, and itinerant music.
Starting at 11:30 a.m. – Widespread catering. The streets, homes, gardens, and parks of Siddi will host food offerings made with local and seasonal products, including traditional and experimental recipes.
4:00 PM – Filippo Graziani Acoustic Duo in concert. At the Giant's Tomb Sa Domu 'e S'Orcu, live music in one of the most evocative archaeological sites in the Marmilla region.
6:30 PM – Parade of Souls. Traveling show produced by Officine Sonore in collaboration with the Siddi community.
7:00 PM – Eat as you speak. Shared tasting of typical snacks from Siddi and Sardinia.
8:00 PM – Saludi e trigu. Closing of the nineteenth edition of the Festival.
Exhibitions, spaces and places
Throughout the day, visitors can visit "The Other Market. The Beauty of Making," featuring producers and artisans, and "Behind the Corner," a series of installations, screenings, and artistic interventions dedicated to this year's theme, created thanks in part to the work of the residents of Siddi.
Also open to visitors are the Museum of Sardinian Agri-food Traditions – Casa Steri, the Ornithological Museum of Sardinia, the Sa Fogaia Naturalistic and Archaeological Park, the churches of San Michele and the parish church, and the Sa Domu 'e S'Orcu Giants' Tomb.
(Unioneonline)
