Carnival in Sardinia

31 December 2009

Carnival (or Carneval) is one of the biggest festivals on the island of Sardinia. Traditionally starting on 17th January, it lasts until Ash Wednesday with the most important celebrations on Carnival Thursday and Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras). Across the island towns and villages mark the occasion with colourful parades and horse riding. Masks also play an important part in the festival, Carneval was traditionally a time in which normal social rules were abandoned and partygoers were masked to hide their identity.

Events are held across Sardinia but some of the most interesting are:
In Sartiglia in Oristano masked horsemen attempt to pierce an iron star with a sword whilst galloping on horseback;
In Barbagia, people in masks act out a battle between humans and natural forces which is known as “driving out winter”;
During The Sartiglia of Oristano, horsemen with white facemasks try to spear a star in The Race of the Star.