Medieval combat tournament, the ‘Romanello Cantini’ Peace Prize and a conference on ‘Culture and Peace Education’ organised by the Valdelsa Historical Society.
Montaperti is approaching the anniversary of the ‘Peace’ signed in Castelfiorentino on 25 November 1260, marking the end of the bloody battle between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines, and the local council is preparing to commemorate it with three events, which will take place over two weekends: 14–15 November and 21–22 November.
The first event on the calendar (Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November) is the Torneo delle Torri, the 5th Carlo Desideri Memorial, a medieval combat tournament to be held in the gym of the “O. Bacci” secondary school (Viale Di Vittorio) from Saturday morning, organised by the “Iron Tower” association (opening hours: Saturday 9am–1pm/2.30pm–7pm, Sunday 9am–1pm/2.30pm–4pm – free entry). On Sunday at 9.30am, there will be a tribute to Carlo Desideri, castellan and president of the association, who tragically passed away in February 2022.
On Saturday 21 November, at the Ridotto of the Teatro del Popolo (from 5.00 pm), the ‘Romanello Cantini. Fabbricanti di Arcobaleni’ Peace Prize (4th edition) will be awarded; this prize is presented annually to those who have worked tirelessly to promote the values of peace. Following careful consideration, the jury has decided to award the prize to Franco Vaccari, founder and president of ‘Rondine. Cittadella della Pace’, an organisation dedicated to the ‘creative transformation’ of armed conflicts around the world, through a methodology aimed at deconstructing the image of the enemy.
During the evening, which will feature speeches by the Mayor, Francesca Giannì, the Councillor for Culture, Franco Spina, and Lapo Cantini (from the “Romanello Cantini” Association), journalist Andrea Fagioli will be in conversation with Franco Vaccari about his latest book, “Imprese di pace. Business Somersaults to Rethink the Economy of Relationships”, a cultural manifesto for an economy capable of exploring new paths and building peace through business. At the end, the award will be presented, followed by closing remarks by Daniela Casagli (President of the “Romanello Cantini” Association).
Finally, on Sunday 22 November, in the Sala Parlavecchia at the “Cambio” Cultural Centre, a conference on “Cultures and Education for Peace” will be held, organised in collaboration with the Valdelsa Historical Society and the Universities of Pisa, Florence and Siena. The conference will begin at 10.00 am with official welcoming addresses by the Mayor, Francesca Giannì, the Councillor for Culture, Franco Spina, and the President of the SSV, Sabina Spannocchi; this will be followed by an introduction by Fabio Dei (University of Pisa). The first session of the conference will feature presentations on ‘Cultures of Peace in Contemporary History’ (presentations by Dimitri D’Andrea, Pietro Finelli and Sonia Paone) and, in the afternoon (from 2.30 pm), the second session on the theme ‘Educating for Peace’ (presentations by Lorenzo Urbano, Sandra Risucci and Erammo Orlando). Following the discussion, Pietro Clemente (University of Florence) will present the concluding remarks.
“In remembrance of this historic peace,” emphasises the Councillor for Culture, Franco Spina, “our city is once again preparing to honour the memory of that Concordia, with a revamped event spanning two weekends and a number of key initiatives across the local area (the ‘Romanello Cantini’ Peace Prize and the conference at the ‘Cambio’ Cultural Centre). For whilst it is essential to give value to the present through the past, it is equally important to recognise the power of cooperation – the first step towards building peace and promoting culture, the only, infallible antidote to barbarism. To sow humanity is to cultivate peace”
For detailed information on the programme: Castelfiorentino Tourist Office (0571 629 049) http://www.comune.castelfiorentino.fi.it
