La Sartiglia

13 Preface Over the years Oristano’s ancient equestrian joust has become an inestimable heritage for all the community reflecting its memory, history as well as people’s soul and spirit. The “Sartiglia” is the beating heart of all the men and women living in Oristano who enrich the entire citizenship with their passion, participation, accuracy, competence and simplicity. These people praise their religious spirit, exalt the pride of a territory and strengthen a local identity. The first edition of the book “La Sartiglia”, made possible thanks to a public initiative financed by the Law n. 208/98, is now reprinted to be publicly available after being presented to national institutions, international organizations and spread among cultural and tourist facilities.The people who worked with me were encouraged by a mutual spirit of sacrifice to use profitably public funds for a common goal. This book embodies the successful work of the “Patto Territoriale Oristano”, “Sa Sartiglia Onlus” Foundation, authors, photographers and all the other co-workers. It is the purest expression of work ethics showing how people can act responsibly to serve the community. It also describes an extraordinary celebration of our city and Island. This reprint will allow to reach a vast audience and widespread the legacy of Oristano’s territory through a publication of great value for tourists and all the readers who wish to cherish a local tradition and enjoy a wonderful celebration with its colours and rituals. This book is a vehicle of cultural heritage and information but also represents an ideal means for the economic development of a land which bets on culture and tourism to grow bigger. “La Sartiglia” through its modern, innovative suggestions, aspires to spread knowledge as well as identity of a land famous for its female Judge Eleanor of Arborea where its natural resources are mixed with its artistic, archaeological, anthropic and traditional legacy. It is a precious work made of words and images which together tell the story of the “Sartiglia” seen through a visitor’s eyes who, lacking any information, discovers step by step this celebration and its rituals. Readers will enjoy suggestions, news, historical data and literary or annotated passages. Simple fluent style and tone of the written part lead the reader through the story whom, emotionally captivated by the beauty of this event, senses the ancient sacred taste of colours, sounds and meditative moments characterizing a universally shared celebration. Remigio Enrico Maria Sequi, PTO Patto Territoriale Oristano