"We want to make a qualitative leap." The Municipality of Sassari presents the 75th edition of the Cavalcata Sarda, aiming to increase the number of related events, a complement to the traditional parade on Sunday, May 17th. "Sassari must regain a central role on the island," declared Mayor Giuseppe Mascia at the beginning of the press conference at Palazzo Ducale, where the Festa della Bellezza was presented.
A declaration of intent reiterated on several occasions and which also aims to be reflected through the scope of cultural events. "In the 2026 program," says Councilor for Culture Nicoletta Puggioni, "the focus will be on costume." This will be celebrated in a multi-venue exhibition on Sardinian dress, "Identities Revealed," scheduled for May 9th and which will open the event's program. This journey through women's dress in Sardinia will be open until May 30th and will be hosted in various exhibitions at the Tavolara Pavilion, the National Art Gallery, the Archaeological Museum, and the Giuseppe Duce Hall of the Palazzo Ducale.
New on Thursday the 14th is the "Rites and Sounds of Sardinia" event at Monte d'Accoddi, an archaeological site where it will host a performance of music, song, dance, and ancient performances featuring traditional masks and Sardinian songs. Another new addition will be the "Children's Cavalcade" on Friday the 15th, sponsored by the Municipality in conjunction with the "Maria Carta" Foundation. Also on Friday the 15th, at 9:00 PM, a special episode of the TV program "Bistimenta," hosted by Ambra Pintore and dedicated to the multi-venue exhibition, will be broadcast on Videolina. From Friday the 15th to Sunday the 17th, Piazza Castello will host Tradizioni in Movimento-Visioni di Sardegna, an exhibition village in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce, consisting of 12 showcase houses around the island to promote the island's tourism and cultural attractions. Caddhos will also host two days of exhibitions at the Pinna racecourse, showcasing the world of horses. Finally, the highlight of Saturday the 16th and Sunday the 17th will be in Piazza d'Italia, with the Festival of Traditional Sardinian Songs and Dances presented by Giuliano Marongiu, confirmed as artistic director of the Festa della Bellezza. On Sunday, May 17th, at 9:00 a.m., the procession will begin, featuring 67 groups, 26 on horseback, and 2,000 participants, marching in alphabetical order. The route will begin from San Giuseppe, continue along Via Asproni and Via Roma, arriving in Piazza d'Italia, where the covered grandstand with 1,084 seats is located. There will also be two stages for people with disabilities. The event will be broadcast live on Videolina. In the afternoon, at the Pinna Hippodrome, the seven groups of pairs of horses will compete in horseback riding.
"There will be," adds Lello Panu, Councilor for Productive Activities, "a market area of over 4,200 square meters and an increase in commercial activities."
The Cavalcata Sarda has many partners, including the Maria Carta Foundation, directed by Leonardo Marras; the Sassari Equestrian Society, whose president is Giancarlo Scarpa; the National Museums of Sardinia, directed by Melissa Ricetti; the Sassari National Art Gallery, directed by Maria Paola Dettori; the Sanna Museum, directed by Antonio Cosseddu; and the artist and designer Mara Damiani.
