Santu Lusorgu Carnival

The Santu Lusha Carnival is characterized by the draw race called Sa Carrela 'e Nanti, which means “road ahead”. The race took its name from the street where the event traditionally takes place, once the main road (now Via Roma). Among the most reckless and spectacular on the island, the Santu Lusgiu horse race draws the entire community around it. The show is offered by the daring equestrian acrobatics, but also by the participation of the crowd that opens en masse a moment before the arrival of the running horses, to close immediately after their passage. Sa Carrela 'e Nanti is a road, made unpaved for the occasion, about one kilometer long, characterized by steep descents and climbs, curves and bottlenecks. They wind through the historic center of the town in the district called Biadorru (way back), in particular in Via Roma. The knights, strictly Luxsurgian, must wear a mask according to tradition or have their faces painted. The knight's clothing (Sa Mascherada) is full of colors and fantasy. It may remind you of Spanish costumes, the jockeys' shirts or the ancient costume of the country, with the ribace jacket (capotinu 'e fresi), the leather corset (cossu 'e pedde 'e itellu) and the long berretta.
The event takes place over three days. On Carnival Sunday, the knights show up at s'iscappadorzu, where the races begin (sas carrilas). Riders can participate alone (on their own) or race in pairs (in pareza). Sa pareza can be a due (pareza 'e dua) or a tre (pareza 'e tres). The last Tuesday of Carnival may be at four and is called Pareza 'e Bator. The most common race is the pareza in pairs or in three. The knights leave, run and arrive together, united in their arms, wanting to symbolize unity, harmony, friendship and solidarity. On Monday, called Chicken Monday (Su Lunisi de sa Pudda), the rider thrown at a gallop must throw a puppet that looks like a hen to the ground with a cane (on fuste 'e ortzastru). On Tuesday, the show closes with the award ceremony for the knights who have cut down the most hens and with the award of the three best masked pairs; special prizes may be given, as well as a participation prize for all participating knights.

The masks
Sa Mascherada: the knight's clothing is full of colors and fantasy. It recalls Spanish costumes but also the jockeys' coats or the ancient costume of the country consisting of the ribace jacket (capotinu 'e fresi), the leather corset (cossu 'e pedde 'e itellu) and the long berretta.

History
The equestrian traditions are very old, dating back to the time of the Judges of Arborea and the Spanish viceroys who increased the breeding of horses, so much so that they obtained special breeds for racing. In the draw races that take place during the Carnival in Santu Lusgiu, the riders show great equestrian skill and a lot of composure. In Sa Carrela 'e nanti, man and animal are a single force capable of creating an unmissable demonstration of male value (balentia).

Update

6/2/2024 - 08:49