Sassari Cavalcata Festival

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22 May 2011

A long and tiring but splendid day at the Sassari Cavalcata Festival.

We got up early to catch the first train and were able to get a seat in the grandstand in the main square, Piazza Italia, to watch the four hour morning’s procession. It consisted of presentations of the very colourful traditional costumes, bands, singing, dancing and pagan ceremonies performed by 67 groups from all over Sardinia. Bringing up the rear were 22 dispays of horses. We were amazed at the number and diversity of traditions that are kept alive in a relatively small island.

In the afternoon we walked to the local horse racing track on the edge of town to enjoy along with a large crowd displays of stunt riding.

Finally it was back to Piazza Italia for an evening concert of folk dancing performed with great skill and enthusiasm by many groups with excellent accompanists. It reminded us of the music we had heard on the west coast of Ireland

We got back to Alghero at nine to receive the not unexpected news that Birmingham City had been relegated from the Premiership.

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