The fortieth edition of the Ittiri Folk Festa, the international folk music and dance festival, was presented this morning at the Chamber of Commerce in Sassari.
The historic event, part of the Chamber of Commerce's top-tier Salude & Trigu program, will take place from July 18th to 21st in Ittiri, hosting eight groups from four continents: Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The program, organized as always by the Ittiri Cannedu association, also includes a prologue in Alghero on July 17th and the grand finale in Sassari for the first time—on the 22nd—in Piazza Santa Caterina with "Dances from the World." "The Ittiri Folk Festa," says the town's mayor, Antonio Sau, "is a precious event for our community, a sign of a deep connection that this year extends beyond the borders."
The Sassari stopover is part of a broader project for interconnections in the province. "We will build a lot together," says Sassari Mayor Giuseppe Mascia, "to ensure our region is united again." "We're already thinking as a Metropolitan City," agrees Sassari Councilor for Culture Nicoletta Puggioni.
The lineup features, to name a few, companies from Chile, Taiwan, Colombia, Ireland, and Mexico, along with Sardinian companies from Ittiri, Bolotana, Villanova Monteleone, Thiesi, Samugheo, Tempio, Ovodda, Orosei, Sorgono, Cuglieri, Jerzu, Oristano, and Sassari. As it has done for 23 years, the Zenias Award returns, this time awarded to Dinamo Sassari. "It's not just a basketball team," said jury president Leonardo Marras, "but a vehicle for very strong values. We're also talking about an organization that always has Sardinia among its symbols." Among those present was Antonella Viglietti, Head of Strategic Offices at the Chamber of Commerce: "With Salude & Trigu, we want to export our traditions abroad."
The Ittiri events will take place in the Public Gardens, Missingiagu Park, Piazza Marconi, and other spaces. "It's noteworthy," explains artistic director Gianmario Demartis, "in addition to the exhibitions and displays, we'll also have two historical reenactments, one dedicated to the life of Toiedda Meloni with "La Pasionaria," curated by the Ischiglias Association, and the other dedicated to Sant'Arrasa, staged by the Coros theater company." Finally, there's a change at the helm of Ittiri Cannedu, with Giuseppe Calvia replacing Piero Simula.