The Gesico snail festival blows out 31 candles this year. The 2023 edition includes cultural and culinary events in its program, and the now consolidated formula of "sacred and profane" that has always characterized the snail festival will not be missing. The religious program will be, as per tradition, in honor of Saint Amatore, bishop and martyr.
It starts tomorrow, Saturday 7 October, at 6pm with the round table "Heliciculture: opportunities for sustainable development" with the participation of Paola Cogoni (Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute), Damiano Aresu (agronomist and mayor of Pimentel) Giuseppina Cireddu (service official of the development of territories and rural communities); Paola Ugas (Laore Agency official). At 8pm in the multipurpose room Su Livariu the 29th "Lumaca d'oro" gastronomic event will be held with the participation of the GB Tuveri Hotel Institute of Villamar, the Proloco of Gesico, Villanovafranca, Mandas and Selegas. For the occasion, local restaurants will cook typical snail-based dishes in the middle of an evening enriched by the music of Marcello Caredda and the comedy show by Benito Urgu.
Friday 13 October, from 3.30pm to 4.30pm in the municipal gym, appointment with the twenty-sixth Snail Race. After the qualifications and the "Sprint Out", the final and the award ceremony for the winners will take place. This is an event for children organized by Pro loco and Figest, in collaboration with Autoscontro Tidu. At 5.30 pm the delivery ceremony to the Parish of Santa Giusta of a mosaic depicting Sant'Antioco martyr of Sulcis and some sculptures relating to Sant'Amatore Martyr and African Bishop by Knight Roberto Lai, president of the Cultural Association of Sulcis History and Archaeology . The authors of the works Giovanni Basciu and Antonio Cauli will be present. At 9.30pm the procession of Sant'Amatore accompanied by Cardinal Arrigo Miglio, maestro Sandro Frau and the Folklore Groups.
Saturday 14 October, at 3pm in the primary school square, the opening of the Agricultural Fair and Fieralibri. At 3.30 pm inauguration of the canary exhibition curated by the Sardinian Ornithological Association. At 4pm the inauguration of Shardana Beer Brothers with live music, good street food and craft beers. At 4.15pm in the Casa Dessì the Trexenta Medioevale exhibition and guided tours organized by Antes and the Gesico museum system. At 4.30 pm in the municipal gym the inauguration of the snail festival with free tasting of snail specialties. The opening of at least one restaurant with a tourist menu is also guaranteed. From 4.30pm the "Passillendi, baddendi and cantendi" event: ethnic music, folklore and dancing in the square and along the party street, with the Trio Banderas of maestro Marcello Caredda. At 9.30pm in Piazza Padre Cuccu the concert created by Giuliano Marongiu “Una Isola in festa” with the participation of Maria Luisa Congiu.
