Carneval

22 January 2009

Carnival (or Carneval) is celebrated all over Sardinia and is one of the biggest events of the year. In 2009 celebrations will take place between 19th February and Ash Wednesday on 25th February. Across the island masked and costumed figures parade through both small villages and bigger towns. Alghero in the North West of the island holds a procession every year with decorated floats whilst nearby Bosa, just 30 kilometres away, has a particularly interesting tradition involving white and black witches of pagan origin. 

Other particularly interesting events during Carneval week include a medieval horse race in Santa Lussurgiu where riders try to snatch a chicken strung across a road; until recently a live chicken was used but today the experience is a little less shocking. Other highlights include the Ash Wednesday procession at Ovodda where visitors have to blacken their faces before they can enter the town and 800 Tamburos drummers parading the streets of Gavoi.