There is the Via Francigena of the “good path”, in which stories and legends of the past are told. And there is the Via Francigena for dreaming, in which poetry, theatre and performance alternate and at times merge in an evocative mix that leaves room for imagination and fantasy. From Friday 6 to Sunday 8 October, Castelfiorentino (FI) will host “The Via Francigena in Valdelsa, between dream and legend”, an event to revisit the ancient route with ad hoc itineraries on foot, by e-bike or on horseback, and immerse oneself in a magical atmosphere of times gone by.
Promoted by the Municipality of Castelfiorentino with the patronage of the AEVF (European Association of Vie Francigene), the Region of Tuscany, the Metropolitan City of Florence, the Unione dei Comuni Circondario Empolese Valdelsa, and seventeen municipalities in central Tuscany, the event is enriched this year with new events, while confirming a tried and tested format that contemplates itineraries and routes open to everyone. Starting from today (Monday 2 October) and until Saturday 7, six days are in fact dedicated to school students, while on Friday 6 October there will be an “accessible” itinerary along a short stretch of the Francigena road at the bottom of the valley.
Start of the festival on Friday 6 October (9:30 p.m.) in the hilltop village of Castelnuovo d’Elsa (where many of the scheduled initiatives are held) with the travelling show “When Fear Crosses the Francigena”, a disturbing itinerary with six stations, where among brigands, plague victims, spirits, and much more, it will be possible to get an idea of the risks and dangers that in the Middle Ages made the pilgrims’ path somewhat tormented.
On Saturday 7 October (meeting point at 2:00 p.m.) the first walking route with “Mangia e cammina”, with two stops at some local farms. Two hours later (4:00 p.m.) inauguration of the “Big Bench” and at 5:00 p.m. appointment at the Castle in Coiano with “Poets on the Francigena”, a special afternoon with Claudio Damiani and Paolo Parrini accompanied by music and tasting, in collaboration with the students of the Enriques. In the evening, trekking at sunset (6:00 p.m. pm) and at 8:00 p.m. dinner at the “Pilgrim’s Canteen” (Circolo Arci Castelnuovo D’Elsa). After dinner, in Castelnuovo d’Elsa, theatrical night with “InCanto. Everyone has the right to dream”, a theatrical journey in six themed locations, including dreams, love, fragility, hope, redemption.
Sunday 8 October, from early morning, a day dedicated to those who wish to discover the Via Francigena with itineraries suitable for everyone, to be covered on foot, by e-bike and on horseback. For walkers, there will be a wide choice of routes: from San Genesio (San Miniato) to Castelnuovo d’Elsa (14 km), from Montaione to Castelnuovo d’Elsa (14 km) or from Coiano to Castelnuovo d’Elsa (8 km, the latter with theatrical entertainment). Along the routes, it will be possible to come across the “stones of the good path”, decorated, to be collected and deposited elsewhere. There will also be a hilly itinerary by e-bike (40 km), or on horseback. At the same time, in the village of Castelnuovo, there will be a big party with zero-km food and wine products and themed displays: from painting to sculpture, from dance to poetry and photography (in Piazza Santa Barbara – where an exhibition will be open from Friday evening – there will be the possibility on Sunday to take photos with a minutera). Lunch at the “Pilgrim’s Canteen” and in the afternoon, medieval games and theatrical performances spread over seven different locations, to rediscover the most evocative corners of the village of Castelnuovo.
“The extension of the summer season”, observes the Mayor, Alessio Falorni, “is an excellent omen for the festival held on the first weekend of October along the Via Francigena, enriched this year by numerous events held at the Castle in Coiano and in the hillside village of Castelnuovo D’Elsa, and by a completely renewed promotion. An itinerary for which Castelfiorentino has played an almost “pioneering” role, having rediscovered it more than 25 years ago, and which sees us committed to enhancing it in a programme where culture, poetry, art, history, hiking, food and wine coexist, thanks also to the irreplaceable contribution of the associations of our territory. A beautiful festival, therefore, open to everyone, without age limits”.
The event is organised with the contribution of Ente Cambiano Scpa.
The following associations collaborated: Circolo Arci and Comitato festaiolo Castelnuovo d’Elsa, Proloco Castelfiorentino, Associazione Culturale Teatrale GAT, Compagnia Trivia APS, TeatroCastello, Associazione Sguardo e Sogno, Toscana Hiking Experience, Associazione culturale Cetra, Associazione TeatroCastello, Associazione “Senza Barriere” onlus, Toscana By Bike, Castello di Coiano, Associazione Agricoltori Castelfiorentino, Associazione Archeologica Valdelsa Fiorentina, Associazione “Cavalieri della Valdelsa”, Gruppo Fotografico “Giglio Rosso”, Istituto Superiore “F. Enriques’, Istituto Comprensivo, Prociv Arci, Rav, Misericordia Castelfiorentino.
For information: www.comune.castelfiorentino.fi.it and www.visitcastelfiorentino.it, the FB and Instagram page of the Municipality of Castelfiorentino where it is possible to download the complete programme, also available at the following link: https://bit.ly/3sZ4NJ6