+39 335 686 6211

Associazione Città di Quarto 1928

In 1928 Enrico Cabras founded the folkloric group "Città di Quarto" to pass on the popular traditions that were already beginning to disperse at the beginning of the last century.

The group has developed a show that incorporates traditional dance and songs of our city and the most significant of the region through the research of popular traditions.

This is the principle that binds the school of dance and popular traditions, a school open to all, formed by a group of adults and a group of children.

The group has also participated and participates in numerous events in Italy and abroad.


The history of Sciampitta

Sciampitta, International Review of Popular Expressions takes place in Quartu S. Elena, 3rd city of Sardinia, in the second decade of July since 1985.

Sounds and colors from all over the world have made Sciampitta a classic appointment for the Quartese summer, in fact the city is animated by the presence of foreign groups arriving from all over the world.

The festival attracts thousands of people every year and on the great stage of Quartu the flag of AMFOS flies, which includes the best folk groups and the best festivals. A banner that symbolizes love for popular traditions and also means friendship between peoples, peace and solidarity. Meanings that give even more depth to an exhibition already rich in cultural contents which combined with the spectacular music, choreography, costumes and dances make Sciampitta a great world event.

The productive categories of Quartu frame the cultural moments, merchants and artisans take the opportunity to showcase their skill and professionalism to offer an extra service to citizens and visitors. In the morning sun and sea, in the afternoon shopping, a visit to the market exhibitions and then in the evening a dip in the popular traditions of half the world.

The review takes place under the patronage of the Municipality of Quartu, the Autonomous Region of Sardinia (Department of Tourism and Department of Education, Culture and Entertainment), the Province of Cagliari, the Banco di Sardegna Foundation and Thanks to Resolution no. 28/1955 of 24.06.2011 received the Regional Recognition among the thirteen most important Identity Events in Sardinia.

Its name derives from one of the most ancient Sardinian dances, "sa sciampitta" in fact, in which a fight between two contenders is simulated with kicks. In the dance these are replaced by aerial steps, cadenced and rhythmic, which demonstrate the skill of the dancers, and being "Sciampitta" an appointment for folk groups from all over the world, another name could not be more appropriate.

The "Is Arenas" stadium was the theater of the party from '85 until 1991. From 1994 to 2003 "Sciampitta" took to the square: its heart was the Piazza Mercato, in the historic center of the city. Now, for some years now it has found the space of Is Arenas, more suitable for hosting the ever-growing public. But during the five days of the event, the various popular shows take place in the city streets with great participation of an enthusiastic audience. In fact, in recent years, the goal successfully achieved has been precisely that of involving citizens and tourists by offering them, in addition to a magnificent show, also the opportunity to witness a combination of art and traditions of socially different and culturally distant peoples. in short, a message of peace.

The organization is entrusted to the "Città di Quarto" group and its president Gianni Orrù, who has been working for years in the research of popular traditions and proposes, among others, ancient dances recovered from historical memory such as "sa sciampitta", the ritual of fishermen "and the" ritual of Sant'Antonio "which, alongside sounds and colors coming from the five continents, allow you to fully appreciate the Sardinian traditions and in particular those of Quartes.

The feast of Sciampitta begins with a mass in the parish church of Sant'Elena, patron saint of the city, not only for the religiosity of the individual elements of the folkloristic groups but precisely because the popular soul emerges in the church, in the songs, in the rites. Following, the parade of dancers and musicians through the streets of the center decorated with flowers and colors to greet the passage. It is on the big stage, therefore, that the real show begins with the succession of traditional songs and dances of the participating groups. During the following days, traveling shows take place throughout the city. The groups come from all over the world to perform and confront each other in joy and serenity; they come from Mexico, Turkey, Thailand, India, Haiti, New Zealand, Argentina and Nicaragua, just to name a few, and of course from the various Italian regions.

It is with popular magic that desire e returns for a week of shows