The traditional Quartu costume was honored in Argentina at the Fiesta de las Colectividades. The Italian Society of Ushuaia participated in the 2026 edition with a revamped stand and the presentation of a costume representative of the regional diversity of the Bel Paese: they chose Sardinia, and Quartu specifically, to do so.
Representing Italy in Patagonia was María del Carmen Cagliari, an Italian citizen living in the province of Tierra del Fuego. She wore the traditional dress of Quartu, highlighting the beauty and richness of one of the most representative costumes of the entire island. This earned her the award for second best traditional costume among all the communities present at the event. The choice of the Quartu dress was no coincidence: Maria del Carmen has a deep admiration for Sardinia's textile tradition and also wanted to pay homage to her family name, Cagliari, just like the Sardinian capital.
A name therefore linked to the island, despite her grandfather being originally from Mori, in the province of Trento. The dress was made by a seamstress from her hometown, while the jewelry and filigree elements that complete it were entirely crafted by the Italian-Argentine woman herself, with research aimed at respecting as faithfully as possible the historical styles of the women of Quartu. Despite some concerns regarding the precision in the garments' tailoring, the Quartu associations, which have been committed to promoting the dress and ensuring its adherence to the original details for decades, have welcomed the interest and commitment expressed in Argentina, a further contribution to the dissemination of Quartu culture throughout the world.
The Argentine festival attracts an average of 5,000 people and boasts the participation of numerous foreign communities in the city. For years, it has been a wonderful opportunity to celebrate cultural diversity, specifically in Ushuaia, and to highlight the bonds that unite the various participating communities: a celebration of cultures, traditions, and encounters.
