Sunday 14 December is scheduled in Siligo, promoted by the municipal administration, the event Raighinas de identidade, a day entirely dedicated to the languages of Sardinia: Sardinian, with its historic-literary varieties (Logudorese and Campidanese), Sassarese, Gallurese, Algherese and Tabarchino. The initiative aims to promote the present and future enhancement of Sardinia’s languages, exploring their prospects for wider use also in light of modern technologies, with particular attention to everyday language and the use of neologisms. Paths of enhancement will be proposed through music, folk singing, poetry and literature, involving artists and representative groups from the different linguistic areas of Sardinia.
“Raighinas de identidade” is made possible thanks to the contribution of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia - Department of Public Education, Cultural Heritage, Information, Entertainment and Sport (regional law no.12/2025 “Sardinian languages and culture service”). The day will be structured in two parts. In the morning at the Cultural Gathering Center in Piazza Maria Carta and in the early afternoon in the Municipal Council chamber, the in-depth sessions will take place, in collaboration with the “Intrecci Culturali” Association; it will continue, starting at 5 pm at the Cultural Gathering Center, with an evening of music curated by the Maria Carta Foundation.
The event is a unique opportunity to reflect on the future of the Sardinian language and on ways of cultural transmission, combining study, discussion and performance, with a strong link between tradition and innovation. «The Municipality of Siligo, organizer of the event, welcomes with particular honor this prestigious international seminar dedicated to the Sardinian language, the core of our historical identity – declares Mayor Giovanni Porcheddu –. This initiative, funded by the Culture Department of the Sardinia Region, represents a moment of high scientific and cultural profile, capable of strengthening the role of our community in safeguarding and promoting the language, culture and traditions that distinguish us. The municipal administration expresses its heartfelt appreciation to the speakers and local associations that contributed to the realization of the seminar».
«Language, spoken and written – states Paolo Bellotti, president of the Intrecci Culturali Association – has always been a powerful identity tool: it preserves the history, emotions and authentic voice of a community. At the conference there will be leading figures called to discuss a strategic and priority goal: ensuring that the languages of Sardinia can evolve together with new technologies and scientific terminology, so they do not risk fading away. Language is strongly linked to the region’s economic and cultural development: where new languages are used, including scientific ones, we must be able to keep tradition together with the ability to innovate. A fine challenge».
«Our language, spread through music and songs, not only traditional ones – comments Leonardo Marras, president of the Maria Carta Foundation – is one of the most powerful tools for conveying the history of a people. For some time we have been committed to promoting and enhancing the languages of Sardinia, especially among the younger generations. Thanks to our musicians, poets, writers and artists – like Maria Carta, who inspired us – our language is preserved as a precious asset: we have a treasure we often fail to realize. Languages are an extraordinary heritage left to us, and we must enhance it also through new means of communication. We must push in this sector, because it is not only a cultural issue, but also an economic one. In these years it has been artists who have kept the language alive, while public offices have not yet completed the process that allows speaking in the various languages of Sardinia. Schools too, in this sense, are still lacking».
At this morning’s press conference presentation, there was also Pasquale Lubinu, regional adviser to Councillor Ilaria Portas, who stated: «The Sardinia Region supports and funds every year dozens of cultural initiatives, very different from one another; in particular, on the Sardinian language there is considerable attention with very many projects involving the entire regional territory. Among these projects is the fine initiative proposed by the Municipality of Siligo, with which the Intrecci Culturali association and the Maria Carta Foundation collaborate».
The conference. At the Cultural Gathering Center, proceedings will begin at 9.30 with the Silighese Polyphonic Choir. Greetings from the authorities will follow: the participation of the Region’s president Alessandra Todde and the regional councillor for Culture Ilaria Portas is expected. Immediately after, space for the presentations. The first session, at 10.00, will be dedicated to the theme “Sardinian and the languages of Sardinia in scientific studies”, with contributions by Simone Pisano (University for Foreigners of Siena), Elisa Manca (University of Sassari), Riccardo Mura (University of Sassari) and Marina Branca (University of Corsica). The second session, starting at 11.30, “Tools for teaching Sardinian and the other languages of Sardinia”, will feature Francescu Maria Luneschi (University of Corsica), Rosangela Lai (University of Pisa) and Piergiorgio Mura (University for Foreigners of Siena). It then resumes at 15.00, in the Municipal Council Hall at 43 Via Cossiga, with the third session focusing on “Sardinian and the other languages of Sardinia in society”, with the participation of Franciscu Sedda (University of Cagliari), Antoni Nàtziu Garau (court language expert) and Manolo Manca (University of Cagliari). At 16.00 a round table on “Sardinian and the other languages of Sardinia in the media”, with Caterina Vittoria Roselli (Gallurese content creator), DocMulas (Sardinian content creator) and journalists Luciano Piras (La Nuova Sardegna) and Mariantonietta Piga (TeleSardegna). At 16.30 a second round table, on “Languages of Sardinia and territory: the value of language desks”, with Andrea Luxoro (Tabarchino), Carla Valentino (Alghero), Barore Canu (Chircas Institute) and Flàvia Marcia (South Sardinia).
The musical show. The day, as mentioned, will continue with a second part curated by the Maria Carta Foundation and entirely dedicated to music. At 17.00 we return, in the hall of the Social Gathering Center in Piazza Maria Carta, with Yasmin Bradi for the Catalan language, Beppe Dettori for Sassarese, Maria Giovanna Cherchi for Logudorese, Coro Gabriel for Gallurese, Randagiu sardu for Campidanese, Battista Dagnino for Tabarchino. And then the Fantafolk duo (Andrea Pisu on launeddas and Vanni Masala on organetto), the Tenore “Su Populu Sardu” of Oliena and the Sassarese artist Enzo Mugoni.
