Sardinia

---

From August 19 to September 1, 2001 we – 40 members including nine children – bounded southwards – a return visit to the group „I Nuraghi“ from Sestu / Sardinia who visited us in Stainz in summer 2000.

The first stage leaded us to Florence. Of course, this wonderful city had to be visited – likewise, the medieval small town of Orvieto. A further blowoff was Rome and the Vatican. Near Rome there is the port of Civitaveccio where we headed off by ferry to Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia.

The hosts of the group „I Nuraghi“ gave us a warm welcome and after a “several-course menu” the accommodations have been assigned.

The official foto of the two groups.

On the first evening on the island we already had a performance in the inland in the middle of mountains, in Atzara. On our way to Atzara we could see the famous cork oak trees and got to know how the cork extraction works. On the next day we visited agricultural farms for which the irrigation in this dry land is of utmost importance. In the evening we had our next performance in Santa Margarita near Pula.

One blowoff was the Festival of the Redeemer in Nuoro. For almost 100 years it has been tradition that many Sardinian folkloric groups participate in a big parade; even on horsebacks people arrive. We could look at the great variety of costumes of approximately 1000 people.

Another performance took place in San Gemiliano. A festive procession through Sestu containing shows at various places has been organised.

Besides the performances and cultural events we have been offered relaxation at the white sandy beaches of Sardinia.

An Austrian evening with the famous apple strudel is an integral part of every journey.

The week in Sardinia went by very quickly and we had to head off back to Austria again. In the north of the island there is the port of Olbia. From there we took the ferry to Livorno although the crossing has been very turbulent.

We spent another night near Florence and after a day’s journey we arrived in Stainz – slightly tired but enriched with a variety of impressions and the certainty to have found many new friends.