Rising together. This is the key concept of Faradda 2025, presented today in Sassari, in the council chamber of Palazzo Ducale. A rebirth that is part of the original spirit of the Festha Manna and now also connects to what happened last year, when the Carpenters' Candlestick was broken. The recent reconstruction of the candle, through the collaboration of the city's key institutional and non-institutional stakeholders, embodies the very essence of the renewal we seek to bring to the Descent of the Candlesticks. "For us," says Mayor Giuseppe Mascia, "this is a Faradda that combines keeping our feet on the ground and looking toward the sky."
The event, which has already begun with "Le vie dei Gremi," the welcoming of the 13 guilds to their respective headquarters, began in July and will continue through August and the coming months. The dissolution of the vow will take place, as has been the case for three years, in the churchyard of the Church of Santa Maria di Betlem. The mayor and Father Guardian Salvatore Sanna will provide information on the progress of the work at the sacred building at a future meeting.
Councilor for Culture Nicoletta Puggioni outlines the stages of the event, which will feature the Descent of the Small Candelieri on August 5th, marching from Piazza Sant'Antonio to Piazza Santa Maria starting at 6:00 PM, while the Medium Candelieri will parade at the same time on the 9th. On August 7th, the photography exhibition "130 Brave Men. Gloria, Santa Rosa's Shoulder-Mounted Camera" will be inaugurated in the Sala Duce of the Palazzo Ducale. The partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and the Stelle del Centro Shopping Center is also taking its first steps through the "Identity on Display" project, presented by Chamber of Commerce President Stefano Visconti. Conferences, exhibitions, urban displays, and other initiatives will focus in particular on the Mini Candelieri and the role of younger generations in passing down traditions.
Returning to events, the 26th Concert for the Candelieri will be held in Piazza Santa Caterina on August 11th, performed by the Luigi Canepa band. On August 12th, at 8:00 PM, in the same square, the "Nostalgia Award" will take place, with the awarding of the Golden and Silver Candelieri, and the return, after many years, of the Bronze Candelieri. The Faradda begins on August 14th, with the dressing of the Candelieri in the morning and the Descent from 6:00 PM, departing from Piazza Azuni . "We will try to keep to the schedule, for a more streamlined celebration," says Intergremio president Fabio Madau.
The bearers will be helped by the removal of the cable, thanks to an agreement with ARST, located at the intersection of Corso Vico and Via Santa Maria, which has long obstructed the passage of the candles . Regarding the decorum and decorum of the Discesa, the 102 gazebos along the route, as stated by Lello Panu, Councilor for Productive Activities, will be white and free of advertising. Regarding the possible reactions of citizens to the mayor and his council's departure on the evening of the Faradda, Mascia responds: "We will accept what comes. Protesting is also part of freedom. We believe we are doing a good job, demonstrating our attachment and closeness to the city.