The feast of San Simplicio is May 15th, but it is July 4th for the people of Olbia

The feast of San Simplicio, in Sardinian “sa Festa Manna de Mesu Maju”, is undoubtedly the feast most felt by the citizens of Olbia and its surroundings. Born as a typical religious feast of the patron saint, however, it is also the moment in which the city celebrates itself. So if you are in Olbia and don’t feel like going to the beach, you won’t find a better time to get to know the essence of this city.

The origins of the feast of San Simplicio

The celebration of the saint, martyred in 304 AD. in the period of the persecutions of the emperor Diocletian, it is at the origin of the festival. The procession with the statue of Simplicius and its exposure to the prayers of the faithful in the homonymous basilica (which houses the relics under the main altar) are moments of authentic devotion that go beyond the worldly context, and that refer to that ancestral faith who saw in the figure of the saint the intercessor in prayer. Something intimate in the requests of the individual believer but common in the sense of belonging to the community. From here springs the sense of belonging: the saint of the place intercedes for the community where he lived, and which he represents with God.

The feast of San Simplicio today

With the development of the city and the change in habits and customs, today the “manna festival” is a set of religious and secular events that monopolize the city’s attention for a week. Traffic is diverted to the streets immediately close to the Basilica and up to the Fausto Noce Park, and in the area dedicated to the celebrations, which over the years has become increasingly larger, a stage is set up for musical performances, a large area dedicated to rides and about a hundred commercial stands, mainly gastronomic ones. In fact, the party, albeit in a city where there is no shortage of beaches, takes place mainly in the green area of the city and in its immediate vicinity.

The program can vary according to the day of the week in which May 15th falls, and has been enriched over the years with elements that, however, do not distort its essence: a popular festival, genuinely felt by the people of Olbia, even those (perhaps most today), who were not born there.

The program of the Feast of San Simplicio

On the first day of the celebrations, the ex-voto flags gather in the Basilica of San Simplicio. This is a moment full of meaning in religious terms, because the flags, once blessed, are carried in procession in the city districts. Then they go to pay homage to the flag of San Simplicio, generally kept in the house of the president of the Celebration Committee. On the same day there is also the beginning of the secular part of the party, with a great show of fireworks over the sea. This is a moment of healthy political parochialism because the quality and quantity of this show is generally compared with the work of the mayor in office.

Following are some days in which other collateral events are planned, which may precede or follow May 15th, based on proximity to the weekend:
– Musical performances with the presence of local artists (the evening dedicated to Sardinian songs is a must) and national ones, often of excellent quality;
– The rowing competition of the various crews of young rowers in the Gulf of Olbia;
– The traditional Festival of Mussels from Olbia, in which thousands of plates of marinara-style mussels are distributed free of charge .. and as many if not more glasses of Vermentino;
– The equestrian palio of the star, with the presence of knights from all over Gallura.

The day of the Feast of San Simplicio

On May 15th, the day of the martyrization of San Simplicio, sa Festa Manna di mesu Maju reaches its peak, and Olbia closes for holidays. Literally the city stops less essential services. In the morning the bishop of the diocese celebrates the solemn Holy Mass, with the presence of all the priests of the diocese.

In the early afternoon, hundreds of people from all over Sardinia, dressed in their beautiful traditional costumes, different from town to town, parade in the solemn procession that anticipates the chariot of the Saint. A large crowd follows the event along the streets of the city. At the end, in front of the church of San Simplicio, the solemn mass is celebrated. The statue of the saint is then left in the church, open to the prayers of believers.

Who is waiting for San Simplicio .. to have fun

In addition to the religious aspects, this festival has obviously become a moment of conviviality.
Just like the city, in recent years the city area dedicated to hosting food stands, rides and the entertainment area has doubled, or perhaps more.
San Simplicio is the sandwich with octopus or sausage, rides for children, a walk to buy artisanal nougat brought from the villages of Barbagia, the musical event. It is an opportunity to see an old friend again, for the funny gossip, for that overeating that you will find time to dispose of … after San Simplicio.
The large (over 10% of the city population) foreign community also participates in this festival, both because Olbia is a splendid example of integration in this one, and because in the face of barbecues the language spoken is the same for everyone.

San Simplicio, the 4th of July of the Olbiesi

Who is from Olbia and lives outside, try to return to San Simplicio. Those who cannot call family members, because it is a bit like Christmas, and homesickness is felt. As children it means rides and pennies saved that are never enough, as kids the first kiss or the inevitable fist fight at the funfair. As an adult, that extra sandwich that you will digest in a few days. But San Simplicio is above all belonging: stopping every 100 meters to greet a friend, be enveloped by the smoke of the grills, look up and see Tavolara.

Visit Olbia in the week of San Simplicio, perhaps staying in our  Hotel Felix Olbia è decisamente una bella esperienza.

The Festa Manna di mesu Maju is worth your visit.