Absolute silence, his unmistakable voice invades the hall in via Aristana. “Evviva su componidori”: these are the words of Tommaso Pinna, a historic member of the Gremio dei Contadini who died last year. A surprise for his son Diego before donning the earth-colored mask, he who yesterday became the king of the Giostra .

A strong moment, without a piece of his heart: rivers of tears flowed from his eyes. An intimate moment, during the dressing that lasted an hour and a half between smiles, tears and emotions marked by the roll of drums and the blare of trumpets. Diego Pinna, knight chosen by the president of the Gremio Gabriele Pinna to lead the Sartiglia di San Giovanni yesterday entrusted himself to the two housewives Nicole Unter and Angelica Pinna.

First comes the white linen shirt and then the red ribbons that are sewn to the arms . Then the leather su coiettu, the handkerchiefs sewn around the face that will hold the mask. Diego Pinna is tense, but tries to enjoy his moment. He smiles at the audience in front of him, at the two housewives but also at the drummers. He thanks them. He claps his hands on his legs in rhythm to the music. Perhaps to release the tension. Who knows. The direction of the dressing ritual is entrusted to sa massaia manna Stefania Pinna, sister of the head of the race. Between one applause and another, the veil arrives, then the top hat and finally the red camellia sewn to the chest . The steed, Eterna, enters the room. Diego Pinna climbs on top without hesitation and immediately bends down: he greets with sa pippia 'e maju looking at the ceiling. It is the greeting to the father.

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