Helmets and protective vests on the Sartiglia knights continue to be a hot topic of debate. Regional councilor Salvatore Cau of Orizzonte Comune has also weighed in on the implementation of the Abodi decree, which mandates the use of safety devices for the Oristano rite as well, highlighting the limitations of regional action and shifting the issue to a legal level.
"The hierarchy of sources of law is a cornerstone of the legal system: in matters of public safety, a regional law cannot in any way override or reinterpret a national law," Cau states, implying that the Regional Council has no means of influencing a matter that remains a matter of state jurisdiction.
Hence the distinction the councilor considers crucial to the debate: "The Sartiglia is not a competitive sporting competition. It is a traditional, ritualistic, and identity-building event." Comparing it to equestrian competitions, he warns, means applying parameters designed for sport to an event with a different nature and purpose, with the risk of distorting its meaning.
On the safety front, Cau cites established data and practices: "For over five centuries, the Sartiglia has been held without any fatal accidents," thanks to a structured system involving rider selection, veterinary checks, a sandy surface, medical facilities, and crowd management. Within this framework, he emphasizes, the role of the historical Guilds is anything but formal: "Their opinion is not symbolic, but an integral part of the guarantee system."
The conclusion is a direct appeal to the Government: "An official clarification and an authentic interpretation of the Prime Ministerial Decree (DPCM) must come from Rome," to avoid automatic application of the decree and to take into account the specific nature of the Sartiglia and other identity-based demonstrations.