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THE ORIGINS OF THE FESTIVAL
- The origins of this festival date from 1657. In 1646 the Campidano region of Cagliari was afflicted by a terrible plague.
The people turned to Saint Efisio and promised the Saint to have a festival in his honour every year, in perpetuity, if he would free the Island from the plague. - The plague did indeed pass and in 1657 the first festival took place. Since then nothing, not even war, has stopped the Sardinian people from keeping the vow they made to Saint Efisio. For over three centuries the festival in honour of the Saint has been celebrated every year on the first of May.
- The festival, which has become more and more grand throughout the centuries, is a very evocative and emotional event for the Sardinian people. This festival has a uniting effect on the population of the Island, which meets once a year to honour a 300-year-old vow. This festival renews the spirit and bears witness to the faith and devotion of the Sardinian people for Saint Efisio.