«The Sleeping Virgin will wait for her devotees in Piazza Santa Maria and there the Gremi will fulfill their vow» announced the mayor of Sassari Nanni Campus in presenting a particular edition of the Descent of the Candlesticks, which for some years has been accepted by UNESCO as a cultural heritage immaterial of humanity.

Father Salvatore Sanna, Guardian of the Convent of Santa Maria, added: "The structural criticalities have turned out to be more serious than in the first moment, therefore the Church will be the square and the whole city will be able to bear witness to its faith and fulfill the vote".

Also this year there will be 13 Candelieri who will perform the "Faradda" representing the Gremi. This is the starting order: Labourers, Autoferrotranvieri, Butchers, Blacksmiths, Piccapietre, Wayfarers, Farmers, Carpenters, Gardeners, Shoemakers, Bricklayers, Tailors and Massai, the most important guild.

Among the sideline initiatives, the descent of the Small Candlesticks on August 5 with 16 mini candles carried by boys and girls, the descent of the Medium Candlesticks on August 10 and on the evening of the 13th the awarding of the Gold and Silver Candlesticks and 'Special gold to the people of Sassari who have lived abroad and in Italy for the longest time.

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