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Main Events in Tuscany and Umbria
La cavalcata dei Magi (Three Wise Men Horseback parade)
– Florence, January
One of the Florentine traditions is the ‘Cavalcata dei Magi’
which takes place on 6th January, the Epiphany. The event originates in
1297, to celebrate the laying of the first stone of the Cathdral of Florence,
‘l’Opera di Santa Maria del Fiore’.
It seems this tradition exists since the 12th Century, when a company
existed that had the job to organise, every three years, the performance
of the "Cavalcata dei Magi”.
Today this tradition takes place to celebrate Epiphany, and comprises
the ‘Three Wise Men’ and a procession which starts at Piazza
Pitti and ends in Piazza della Signoria where the flag throwers perform.
Palio dei somari (Donkey race)- Torrita di Siena, March
This event origantes from 1966, when a small association of the town thought
it would be agood idea to have an event in honour of Saint Giuseppe, and
which also acted as a reunion day for all those who in the past, for work
reasons, had leave their birthplace and transfer to other villages. The
‘Palio’ is a race between 8 districts of the town. Each district
is proud of its coat of arms and its representatives, dressed in typical
14th Century costumes made up of the ladies in waiting, the prince, the
standard bearer, the soldiers, the page boys, the scholar, the flag throwers,
the tambourine players all are dressed in the precious, richly embroidered
costumes which are perfect in every detail and seem as though they really
do come from medieval times.
Calcio in costume (Football in Costume) - Florence, June
The historic Florentine football, also known as Football in Livery or
Football in Costume, is a sport which has its origins in ancient times.
The oldest mention of ‘Calcio in costume’ (or Calcio storico)
played in front of the Basilica di Santa Croce dates from the start of
the 400’s, when the event was reserved to young nobles, but just
a Century later the sport had become a game of the working class. The
tradition, interrupted in 1739 with the arrival of the Lorenese grand
dukes, was brought back in 1930 in the programme of the re-launching of
tourism in Florence, promoted by Fascism. For this reason a folkloristic
procession of 550 people was added to the game. At the head of the procession
are the nobles announced by the presenters, then the banner bearers of
the four districts of the city (Santa Croce, San Giovanni, Santo Spirito
e Santa Maria Novella), the representatives of the ancient professional
guilds and then the flag bearers, macebearers, musicians, the referee
and the players, 27 each team, all wearing Renaissance costumes.
Giostra del saracino (Jousting) - Arezzo, June and September
The Giostra del Saracino is an ancient horseback competition which dates
back to medieval times and was brought back in 1931 in the form of a historic
commemoration of the 14th Century. Proceeded by a colourful historic procession,
which takes its 350 particepants through the streets of the town, the
actual tournament takes place in the beautiful setting of the Piazza Grande.
After a demonstration of equestrian manoeuvres, tambourine rolls and flag
throwing, the Knights of the districts of Porta S. Spirito, Porta Crucifera,
Porta del Foro and Porta S. Andrea throw their horses into a gallop and
with their lances fight against an automatic armoured figure. The two
jousters who strike the figure the most times therefore gaining the most
points, win. They take the much sought after prize of the ‘Golden
lance ‘ to their district.
Opera Festival – Florence, June – July -
August
The ‘Opera Festival’ offers great music, above all opera,
and dance performances in some of the most enchanting areas of Florence
and Tuscany. The calendar of events is always rich with prestigious international
names.
Palio di Siena, July
The ‘Palio di Siena’ is a competition between the quarters
of Siena in the form of an equestrian event with medieval origins which
takes palce twice a year: 2nd July the ‘Palio di Provenzano’
takes place (in honour of the Madonna di Provenzano) on 16th August the
Palio dell'Assunta takes place (in honour of the Madonna Assunta). The
event has been taking place since 1644, the year when the first Palio
with horses occurred, and has helped make Siena famous all around the
world not only for its cultural heritage and architecture but also for
its ancient traditions.
Umbria Jazz - Perugia, July
Begun in 1973, it is one of the most important jazz events in Europe and
some of the most famous jazz musicians have played.
Tuscan Sun Festival - Cortona, August
“Il Tuscan Sun Festival” is an annual celebration of arts
set with a backdrop of the wonderful scenery of Tuscany. Orchestras and
solo artists of international fame participate.
Sagra del tordo (Festival of the Boar) - Montalcino,
October
It is since 1957 that at Montalcino, a splendid Sienese fortress town
in the heart of the Val d'Orcia, that the Sagra del Tordo, a historic-folkloristic
event that warms the hearts of all the population. The archery contest
is between the four districts of Montalcino - Borsetto, Pianello, Ruga
e Travaglio. The Sagra del Tordo dates back to the ancient hunting traditions
of the area. This is how Monatlcino goes back in time, with songs and
the butchers dance, in the costumes of the 1st Century. The blare of the
horns and bangs of tambourines accompany the traditional tribute of the
district to the ‘Signora della Fortezza’ who, together with
her ladies in waiting, waits under the loggia of the ‘Palazzo Comunale’,
the return of the hunters, page boys and archers. The important part of
the festival – which takes palce between tastings of local produce,
processions and parades, is the archery contest which consists of two
representatives from each quarter of the town.
Eurochocolate - Perugia, October
Festival dedicated to the lovers of the ‘Food of the Gods’,
which every year transforms the city of Perugia into an animated confectionary
shop. A unique and unusual festival which also involves outlying villages
and which sees as protagonists the most important Italian and international
confectioners.