There is a lot of concern, and it shows. The hope is that the sun that shines outside will remain throughout the day. True joy explodes at the moment of the toast with Vernaccia: Giovanni Utzeri, who is about to become a su componidori, smiles and thanks for the applause. Blasts of trumpets, rolls of drums and at 12.20 the earth-coloured mask arrives: in front of everyone is the king of Oristano, on componidori.

<p>Giovanni Utzeri (photo Pinna)</p>

From that moment his emotions are secret: and the Sartiglia can begin. In the hall of the Gremio dei Contadini, the dressing of the leader chosen by the president of the Gremio Giuseppe Vacca to lead the Sartiglia dei Contadini concluded a little while ago.

<p>The beginning of dressing (photo Pinna)</p>

The knight climbed onto the wooden "mesitta" at 11.45, a little earlier than tradition. Followed by the housewives Alice Franceschi and Angelica Pinna. First the white linen shirt, then here are the red ribbons that are sewn to the arms. The two girls, very quickly, listen to the advisors of Susanna Sanna, a housewife who is a godsend: the direction of the dressing is entirely in her hands. Then he arrives on a leather coiettu, the handkerchiefs sewn around the face that will accommodate the mask. Between one applause and another the veil arrives. Then the top hat and finally the red camellia sewn on the chest.

The festively decked steed enters the room: the Sartiglia can begin.