Medieval market, arts and crafts market, encampment and medieval dancing,
games and falconry show. Historical procession in the lower and upper town centre.
A great “Fire Show” set inside the Ancient Walls (Cassero) will mark the finale of the Re-enactment of the “signing” of the Peace after the Battle of Montaperti, a medieval festival scheduled in Castelfiorentino (FI) on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 November. A festival that this year opens under the banner of numerous novelties, having already begun to warm up the atmosphere last weekend with the Medieval Armour Combat Tournament (3rd “Carlo Desideri” memorial), and with the Walk on the site where the epic battle between the Guelphs and Ghibellines took place, described by Dante Alighieri as the “great havoc that the red-coloured Arbia made”.
The programme of the event was presented this morning by the Mayor, Francesca Giannì, and the Councillor for Culture, Franco Spina. Among the novelties of this edition is, first of all, the “Evening of Peace” scheduled at the Ridotto del Teatro on Saturday 23rd (5.00 p.m.) where, at the same time, an award will be presented to Prociv Arci and Misericordia Castelfiorentino for the commitment of their volunteers during the flooding emergency of 17-18 October last. s. and the “Romanello Cantini” Peace Prize Ceremony (2nd edition) will be held, with the awarding of the prize to Giammarco Sicuro, a journalist, writer and war correspondent, who has been able to recount the atrocities to help spread the feeling of peace in public opinion. Also on Saturday (from the morning, all day Sunday too) Medieval market in the streets of the centre, guided tour of the historical curtain (Saturday morning) and in the afternoon Brass Concert and Itinerant ‘themed’ Narratives.
On Sunday 24 November, Piazza Gramsci will be literally invaded for the whole day by the ‘Ancient crafts and handicrafts’ market, a ‘Medieval encampment’, falconry shows, and finally medieval games and dances (the latter itinerant); a ‘little house’ will be set up at the former Arena with activities for children, while the main streets of the centre will host a Medieval market. In the afternoon, starting at 3.00 p.m. (meeting point in Piazza del Popolo), a large Peace Procession will take place, with the Historical Parades of the Republic of Florence and the Agresto di Monteriggioni Association, with their retinue of halberdiers, guild foot soldiers, infantry officers, bombardiers, musicians and Uffizi flag bearers, together with the Authorities (civil and military). New this year, the presence in the parade of the Civil Defence and voluntary organisations involved in the recent flood emergency. The ‘Peace Procession’ will follow this itinerary: Piazza del Popolo, via Ferruccio, via Bovio, via Volontari del Sangue, Corso Matteotti, Piazza Gramsci (first performance by the flag-wavers), and return to Piazza del Popolo. In front of the Town Hall (4.15 p.m.) there will then be a re-enactment of the ‘signing’ of the Peace Agreements and the awarding of certificates of merit to the bodies/associations that played a valuable role during the recent flooding. After the re-enactment, there will be a second performance by the flag-wavers and the ‘Peace Procession’ will resume its journey in the direction of the thousand-year-old Pieve, where the final farewell will take place. Grand finale at the Cassero della Pieve with the ‘great fire show’ by Lux Arcana: an action show with epic music, medieval choreography, aerial dance and acrobatic gymnastics, full of special effects.
In the memory of this anniversary,‘ observes the Councillor for Culture, Franco Spina, “the historic centre of our city is once again preparing to welcome the memory of that Peace, with a renewed event, with important focuses on the territory (the ”Romanello Cantini’ Peace Prize and the traditional historical procession through the streets of the centre, which is enriched by all the Forces that cooperated during the 17-18 October flood emergency) without forgetting the universal message addressed to all peoples to recompose conflicts of any kind. Because if it is fundamental to value the present through the past, it is equally important to recognise the power of cooperation, the first step towards building Peace and affirming Culture, the only, infallible antidote against barbarism. Montaperti is a monument, a warning to move away from the logic of the legitimacy of war and confrontation, of whatever nature, and an invitation to take on the construction of Peace as an unceasing aim, sowing humanity first. We are waiting for you, to remember, to meet and also to have fun in the medieval atmosphere of what is also a great festival, full of unmissable events, for young and old alike’.
“History”, emphasises the Mayor, Francesca Giannì, “is linked to the concept of memory, and history and memory are built every day. The concept of Peace, therefore, must certainly be studied in the light of events that are properly historical, but also actualised and interpreted as a living idea. This year we will therefore give public recognition to the civil protection system and associations that helped us during the flooding events of 17 and 18 October, offering a noble example of concord and unity in our daily lives. Also as a reminder that the emergency is still ongoing for many families and businesses in our area: all citizens have a duty not to forget and to continue working for this part of the city”.
‘We have also thought,‘ concluded the mayor, “of dedicating, within our ”Evening of Peace’, a specific moment of remembrance of the figure of Romanello Cantini, with the awarding of the Prize to RAI journalist Giammarco Sicuro and an evening of study on the role of journalism in creating moments of reflection on peace in war scenarios”.
Lapo Cantini, Romanello’s son, remarks: “The newly-established “Romanello Cantini” Association would like to thank the Municipality of Castelfiorentino and the Cambiano Bank for having made it possible to organise the Peace Prize dedicated to the Castelfiorentino intellectual, author of the book “Fabbricanti di Arcobaleni” (Makers of Rainbows), which tells the story of the builders of peace’ in the world. These undoubtedly include war correspondents such as Giammarco Sicuro who, by recounting the atrocities of conflicts, help to reinforce the importance of peace processes in public opinion”.
For detailed information on the programme: Castelfiorentino tourist office (+39 0571.629049) https://visitcastelfiorentino.it