Sant'Efisio celebrates 370 years: today's edition of the festival honoring the warrior martyr who freed Cagliari from the plague. A procession of faith and color that has remained virtually unchanged over the centuries: starting from the church of Stampace, where the rite is passed down by the Archconfraternity of the Gonfalone, it arrives in Nora, the site of his martyrdom. It returns on May 4th, before midnight, so that the vow can be fulfilled.
This year, however, something has changed. It happened in 1943, when Cagliari was ravaged by bombings. Before that, it had happened after the end of the First World War. And, more recently, in 2020, when Covid had locked down all of Italy. In 2026, the plague is called lumpy skin disease: a bovine disease that has forced a ban on the use of oxen. Those that were supposed to pull the traccas (which will not be paraded but are on display) and, above all, the two that were supposed to be harnessed to the yoke of the royal chariot, the means of transporting the statue. The saint will travel on the shoulders of his brothers. Four guardians (and not two, as per tradition) will watch over his safety. There will also be a militia escort. Among the folk groups from all over Sardinia, 160 horses will be present. Those will be there, as will the colors of the traditional costumes and sa ramadura, which will not be lacking.
"We trust in the affection and respect of the devotees along the route, both for the newly restored statue and for the commitment of those who will physically support the religious sedan chair," said Mayor Massimo Zedda. This morning, he will hand over the city's representation to his alter nos, Giovanni Porrà.
THE NEWS OF THE DAY
7am – Folk groups began gathering in the Salesian square before 7am.
<p>Photo: Guglielmo Niada </p>8:00 a.m. – A tragedy has occurred on Via Santa Margherita: Elena Siddi, 55, from Sarroch, was struck by a fatal illness while driving her husband's car toward a group meeting.
8:30 am – The start of the Alter Nos walk
After 45 days of preparation, the Alter Nos is ready for the big day. Giovanni Porrà has arrived on Via San Paolo, where he will soon depart for the City Hall on Via Roma. It's been a long and demanding few weeks for him: training with Army personnel, the daily work of building a trusting relationship with Iebe, the mare who, for the second consecutive year, will accompany the Alter Nos figure along the route. A bond of understanding is essential for facing a busy day.
Porrà doesn't hide his emotion, but he immediately chooses to send a clear message: his support for the farmers affected by bovine dermatitis, which this year forced a halt to oxen. This is a significant change for the ritual, which presents itself in a different guise than in the past. ( Veronica Fadda )
9am – The blessing
<p>The blessing (Photo: Niada)</p>The groups gathered at the Salesians received a blessing from the Archbishop of Cagliari, Monsignor Giuseppe Baturi.
9:30 am – The character: Marco Viola, militiaman of Sant'Efisio
For a good forty-eight years, he has tirelessly followed the feast of Saint Efisio. And his devotion, love, and passion for the Saint have never changed.
He is Marco Viola, leader of the platoon of the Saint's militia. At his side is Orchidea, a twelve-year-old mare who accompanies and escorts him throughout the festival. For Viola, every edition is special, and the work never stops: there's not a moment of the year when his thoughts don't turn to Sant'Efisio.
Behind him, during the march towards the Town Hall, the other militiamen on horseback: fourteen in all. Armed with swords and arquebuses, they keep watch along the Saint's path. ( Veronica Fadda )
9.30 am – Presentation of the Golden Fleece and "interlude" for the band
Right on time, Mayor Massimo Zedda presented the Italian flag to Alter Nos Giovanni Porrà at Palazzo Bacaredda. A brief exchange took place during the "dressing" of the sash, the direction of which was only found after several attempts. Everyone smiled. ( Veronica Fadda )
10 a.m. – Zedda: "A celebration for all of Sardinia."
An important showcase for all of Sardinia, and beyond. An eagerly awaited moment, filled with joy, hope, and desires symbolically entrusted to the hands of the Saint.
Cagliari's mayor, Massimo Zedda, has no doubts. This year, he has only one request: serenity. A wish that embraces the entire island but also looks beyond, to the rest of the world, marked by a particularly delicate geopolitical moment. The mayor also spared a thought for the farmers, severely affected by bovine dermatitis.
An emergency that has also had direct consequences on the festival, forcing a halt to the oxen that traditionally pull the Sant'Efisio cart, which this time will be carried first on shoulders and then by a pick-up truck. ( Veronica Fadda )
10.30 am – The Sarroch group marches in mourning
A difficult decision: the Sarroch group is taking part in the parade with a flag draped in black due to the death of Elena Siddi, the life and soul of the Sant'Efisio festival, who was struck down this morning by a fatal illness while preparing to join her fellow villagers.
10.50 am – The parade of the groups
The first groups in traditional dress arrived in front of the Town Hall on Via Roma after having passed along the entire route from the Stampace district.
11:00 AM - Mass with the Alter Nos
Mass began in the church of Stampace with the Alter Nos.
11:20 a.m. – The Minister of Labor at the Town Hall
"We need to stand by workers, to support them in such a challenging time." Labor Minister Marina Elvira Calderone, in Sardinia today for May Day, is also participating in the celebration of Sant'Efisio.
For her—a Sardinian and Cagliari native—the island is also a point of reference for employment: more effective policies are needed to ensure dignity and serenity for workers. The many ongoing disputes in Sardinia prompt a reflection: "We need more unity to ensure dignity and serenity for the many workers." ( Veronica Fadda )
11:30 a.m. – Gaia Costa's parents at the Town Hall
<p>Gaia Costa's parents at the Town Hall in Cagliari (Photo: Veronica Fadda)</p>She loved Sardinian traditions, and Sant'Efisio was among them. Gaia Costa, from Tempio, who died at just 24 after being hit by a car in Porto Cervo last summer, proudly wore the rich and ornate Villanova habit.
Today, her photo is on display at Cagliari City Hall, before the many faithful and devotees of the saint. On Via Roma, her visibly moved mother and father, Deborah Caffiero and Alfredo Costa, thanked the city administration for their support and affection for the family. Deborah is wearing the same dress as her daughter, immortalized in a photo that shows her radiant and smiling, wrapped in her beloved traditional dress. In the words of her parents, love and devotion for Gaia: "She is with us today, more than ever." At 6 pm, her parents will receive the "Golden Fleece" award in Piazza del Carmine, in memory of Gaia. ( Veronica Fadda )
12.10 pm – The statue of the saint on the sedan chair
The statue was transferred and secured on the sedan chair that will be the procession's means of transport this year due to the ban on the use of oxen due to the bovine dermatitis emergency.
12.20pm – Leaving the church
<p>The Saint on the sedan chair (Photo: Guglielmo Niada)</p>The statue of the Saint has left the church of Stampace to begin the long journey to Nora, the site of his martyrdom. The streets are beginning to be covered with the petals of sa ramadura.
1.21pm - Arrival at the Town Hall
<p>The statue under the Town Hall (Photo: Fadda)</p>The sound of sirens in the harbor welcomes the saint's arrival in front of Palazzo Bacaredda. One of the most touching moments of the festival, in its Cagliari part.
<p>The passage on Via Sassari (Photo: Niada)</p>1.50pm – The effigy transferred to the pick-up truck
Arriving in front of the former Sem, on Viale La Playa, Sant'Efisio was transferred to the back of the pick-up truck that will transport him on the next stages of his journey of faith.
The statue of Saint Efisio is transferred, welcomed by the faithful, to Giorgino's court to enter the church named after him.
4:00 PM - After stopping at Giorgino's courtyard, the statue of Sant'Efisio is transferred to the pick-up truck to continue its journey.
