The village of Oliena lies just a few kilometres from Nuoro, at the foot of Monte Corrasi. Oliena is a town rich in natural beauty and also boasts a strong artisan and wine-producing tradition.
One of the most authentic and evocative traditions in the town is the “S’incontru” ceremony, held each year on Easter Sunday. It was most likely the Spanish in the XV century who introduced the ceremony and it has remained unaltered up until now. It is a meeting between the simulacra of the Resurrected Christ and the Madonna.
Two separate processions are held on the morning of Easter. One leaves from the church of San Francesco di Paola with the statue of the Madonna in mourning dress with black veil, who goes desperately searching for her son around the streets of the town; the other one leaves from the church of Santa Croce with the statue of Christ.
The youngsters, in traditional dress, carry the two simulacra on their shoulders throughout the entire procession around the town, while the inhabitants of Oliena accompany the two processions, they too wearing multi-coloured traditional Sardinian attire, entirely embroidered and hand made. This is a way to combine the Easter ritual and folklore.
“S’Incontru” is held in Piazza di Santa Maria and is announced by hundreds of riflemen who fire blanks into the air as a sign of good wishes and devotion. Thereafter, silence falls over the square. The key moment is when the simulacra carriers bow down simultaneously, to show the Resurrected Christ bowing before his Mother. In the middle of the square, the priest removes the black veil from the Madonna, to reveal her blue dress and the joy at the Resurrection. At the end of this evocative ceremony, the bells of the Santa Maria church, which are generally silenced throughout the year, ring out in celebration.
After the encounter, the procession continues as far as the church of Sant’Ignazio where mass is said. The celebrations conclude in the evening with traditional dancing, music and food offerings, as a sign of generosity and hospitality.
