Expectations exceeded expectations. Crowded square, singing and dancing until late at night. Good premiere for the 32nd edition of the Bolotana Folk Festival. Breaking the ice on Thursday 18 July was musician Carlo Boeddu from Nuoro. The artist, accompanied by the inevitable sound of the accordion, gave some songs from the island's folk tradition. Then came Maria Giovanna Cherchi, an exceptional godmother: she enchanted the audience with an unmistakable voice. Visibly emotional in front of her "people".

Emotions in music

The singer from Bolota won over those present. She didn't spare herself. One after the other he proposed about twenty songs. “Ambasciadores de Sardigna”, composed by Gino Marielli of Tazenda, with a text taken from a poem by Angelo Curreli. Then it was the turn of "Mediterranea", that hymn to the Sardinian land that exploded the square. And again, “Procurade 'e moderate”, “No potho reposare”. So “Chiedimi”: it tells of the great passion for singing that has always accompanied the artist. During the concert there was also space for “Deus ti salvet Maria”, a duet performed with Fausto Leali. In short, reflections, poetry and magic framed the opening evening of the Bolotana Folk Festival. However, there was no shortage of moments of lightness that directly involved the spectators. Two hours of show including great "classics" and pieces from the latest album "Sirena". Among these “Pedras fittas”, lyrics by Bachisio Bandinu and music by Gabriele Oggiano, inspired by the menhirs that never bend. In closing, the choral greeting of the members of the cultural and folkloric association "Ortachis", which has been organizing the Bolotana Folk Festival for 32 years.

Second evening

Tonight, Friday 19 July, it will be repeated. First the parade of folk groups from Venezuela, Benin and Serbia, then from 10.15pm the stage in the center of Bolotana will come alive. International dances but not only. The scene will also be for Silanus's “Tradissiones populares”, Nuragus's “Valenza” and Gabriele Solinas's diatonic accordion. Finally, on Saturday 20th, the folk group "Santu Predu" from Nuoro, the tenor "Su Connottu" from Fonni, the Boes and the Merdules from Ottana, the drummers and trumpeters of the Sartiglia from Oristano will perform. Their performances will be preceded by a parade of typical clothes from Martinique, Bulgaria, Brazil and Colombia scheduled for 7pm, through the streets of the town. From 10.15pm these groups will reach the main square of Bolotana, delighting the public with their dances and traditional clothes. The 2024 edition of the Bolotana Folk Festival will close with the Roman rapper Icy Subzero and DanyJeey.

Folk and inclusion

Bolotana aims to welcome. Through ancient dances and heartfelt traditions he wants to send virtuous messages. «This year the title of the event is “Bolotana embraces the world”», underlines the president of the Ortachis association, Antonello Zolo. «I don't think many words are needed to explain its meaning. Just look at the logo created by the Macomerese artist Barbara Pala: it depicts our planet surrounded by an accordion and ornaments typical of our folk tradition. This union was sealed by a couple wearing the Bolotanese dress."

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