Feast of Sant'Antioco martyr between shows and tradition: a great success with thousands of visitors

It will go down in history as one of the most beautiful and most important festivals in Sardinia, the 664th "Festa Manna" which in Sant'Antioco takes on a particular meaning. It has always been celebrated 15 days after Easter in homage to the Martyr Mauritano Antioco, patron saint of Sardinia, of the diocese of Iglesias and of the lagoon city, the destination of thousands of pilgrims and visitors. Current as never before, the holy evangelist who came from Africa, doctor and preacher of the works of Christ in Sardinia and also in Corsica.

Today the celebrations dedicated to the feast conclude with the holy masses officiated at the tomb of the saint, at the entrance to the paleo-Christian catacombs, located at the foot of the place of worship which has become a Basilica by the will of John Paul II. A mix of prayer and tradition, of devotion and above all of the request for intercession but also entertainment, a lot of entertainment, which in recent days has recorded a boom in attendance.

The mayor Ignazio Locci, particularly moved, thanks, aware that the success stems from the participation of all those who collaborated so that the oldest festival would turn into a success with great participation, from the crowd, from the people. «It is exciting to see the commitment in preparing the streets for the procession by the residents of the historic center. Devotion to the patron saint of Sardinia is a moment of reconciliation for the Sardinian community and in particular for the Antiochian community - says Ignazio Locci - as well as devotion, a show of the tradition of party clothes, with beautiful men and women in their precious clothes. Even the success of civil demonstrations is a gift from our beloved Antioco. To be among the 10 identity events in Sardinia we dared and bet a lot, the results are starting to show. Finally, I want to thank all the volunteers, the local police and our administrative structure, without their commitment and without everyone's hard work, the "manna party" could not be organized".

The most important religious moment of the feast ended with the blessing of Cardinal Arrigo Miglio, who recalled his particular devotion to the saint and his personal bond with the city, which he has had since he reached the diocese for his role as bishop.

The folk parade that preceded the procession was particularly representative this year because it was made up of groups from all the centers that are bishoprics in Sardinia and from places where there are places of worship dedicated to him. Many mayors and institutional representatives followed the simulacrum. The civil celebrations resulted in a considerable number of visitors.

Since the opening of the party, with the concert by Fausto Leali, the group from Antioch "I Sardos", then Piero Marras and finally, today at 3 pm the DJ set which in fact opens to the "Gemelli Diversi" who perform at 5 pm in the square Ferralasco.

«I am satisfied, moved and happy but I already have an agenda full of programs for the future - says the councilor for tourism Roberta Serrenti - this is the result of a path that has allowed us before, to have a great regional recognition all of the great Identity Events of Sardinia and which today, more than ever, has the objective of making the history of Sant'Antioco Patron, its narration, the folkloristic and identity aspects the driving factor of a tourist proposal beyond the sea and beaches. It is no coincidence that the planning of this 664th festival focused on moments that recalled the identity and devotional aspects but also on the choice of the great names of national music and the numerous stands and exhibitors, to ensure that it was a True People's Party».

As they say in these parts, especially at the end of the celebrations, "Attrus annus".