The Candlesticks

On August 14, the solemn festival of the Candlesticks is celebrated in Sassari. This is a devotional procession, during which nine impressive wooden candles are transported from Piazza Castello to the church of Santa Maria di Betlem, in whose altar they are placed to receive the blessing.
On August 14, the solemn festival of the Candlesticks is celebrated in Sassari. This is a devotional procession, during which nine impressive wooden candles are transported from Piazza Castello to the church of Santa Maria di Betlem, in whose altar they are placed to receive the blessing. The origin of this festival is very ancient, it was founded, in fact, as thanks to the Assumption of the Virgin for freeing the people of Sassari from the scourge of the plague. The procession has been documented since 1580, but its establishment could be much more remote, considering it as the fruit of a borrowing from the Pisan cultural tradition, which in the second half of the thirteenth century exerted its influence in some areas of Sardinia. Walking through the streets of Sassari with these votive objects are the various representatives of the “guilds”, ancient corporate-religious associations established in the 16th century and which have always been true animators of the event. In fact, it is to them that we owe the preservation of this important tradition.

The votive character has remained unchanged over time, preserving a deep meaning of gratitude to the Virgin but also propitiatory for future life. This is how every year the “faradda”, in Sardinian Sassari “descent”, of the Candlesticks, heroically supported by representatives of the Masai, Wanderers, Flintstones, Masons, Ortolani, Tailors, Shoemakers, Farmers and Carpenters, who, while bearing a heavy weight, perform rhythmic movements with their bodies, almost a real dance. On the morning of the festival, the representatives of the guilds take their candlestick from the chapel where the association is located; in the home of the “candlestick worker”, the highest office of the guild, the candle is richly decorated with colored ribbons, flowers and wreaths. Each candlestick is followed by the members of the guild who proceed

in hierarchical order.

Update

10/9/2023 - 18:19