Infiorata, the floral display of San Luigi Gonzaga
Città della Pieve, Perugia
11 - 21 June
In homage to their patron saint, San Luigi Gonzaga, the inhabitants of the district of the Terziere Casalino, each year prepare original flower decorations along the streets, known as the “Infiorata”. This event is one of the most important the town offers its visitors and traditionally marks the beginning of the summer events in Città della Pieve. The Infiorata also means music and entertainment. In fact, on the Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon visitors are accompanied along the streets by musical notes. During the magical nights of the summer solstice, art, spirituality, history and ancient popular traditions blend as the inhabitants of the Terziere prepare the incomparable spectacle of the Infiorata for the following morning.
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Quintana Joust
Foligno, Perugia
12 and 13 June
Foligno, Perugia, annually hosts the Giostra della Quintana (Quintana Joust), the annual historic event (revived in 1946 after a century break) inspired by the medieval equestrian competition that takes the city back to a time when women were "Dame" and men "Messeri". The term Quintana refers to the fifth street of the Roman military camp, where the training of the soldiers usually took place. Armed with a lance, they hurled against a puppet, commonly called "Saracino" (Saracen), with the intent of hooking a ring onto the puppet’s arm. The Giostra della Quintana is one of the best known and most popular horse races in Italy, so much so that it is referred to as "The Olympics e Equestrian Competitions": ten riders representing the ten districts of the city, which on this occasion take on a "fake name" (the Ammaniti's knight is "The Vigorous", Badia "The Bold", Cassero "The Pertinacious", "The Furious" for Contrastanga, "The Faithful" Croce Bianca, "The Spirited" Giotti, "The Generous" La Mora, "The Bold" Morlupo, "The Black" Pugilli and "The Audacious" Spada), and compete in armor riding a horse, in order to hook the 9 rings, 3 for each round.
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Archidado Joust
Cortona
12 and 13 June
The Archidado Joust traces its origins back to the Middle Ages and was officially created in 1397 to celebrate the wedding of Francesco Casali, the Lord of Cortona, and Antonia Salimbeni, a noble woman from Siena. In the city of Cortona, this historical event is recalled every year on the second Sunday of June, when people are lead back to the ancient medieval splendour of the city. The streets are decorated in medieval style, ladies, knights, flag flyers, crossbow shooters, soldiers, pages, civil and religious authorities, all dressed with fine costumes, liven up the city centre, which is rich in history and artistic beauties of every time. The Council of Terzieri is really proud of recreating this joyful atmosphere and hopes that the striving competition for winning the golden arrow called “verretta” will emotionally involve not only the five quarters but the whole city, for a time of great joy and fun while takin us back into the past.
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The Giostra del Saracino or simply “Il Saracino” as it is known among the aretini (inhabitants of Arezzo), is the event that best represents the traditions and the history of Arezzo. The Saracen Joust is a historical event with very antique origins: 13th Century documents show how Aretins were fond of jousts and tournaments and the joust was certainly carried out in the 1400. The most ancient document, however, is a Priors’ resolution stating that the Joust against the Saracen should take place on Sunday and that the prize would be a piece of purple satin.
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Torrita Blues Festival
Torrita di Siena
25, 26, 27 June
A fun event for all music lovers; this year a program of great depth and great musicians, from the legendary Rory Gallagher Band "Band of Friends" that will bring the whole story of the famous Irish bluesman to the return of a black singer with a powerful blues voice that for years was missing at our big event "Sharrie WILLIAMS". The princess of Blues and Gospel. Torrita Blues means quality and especially the tradition of the name Blues. It’s a name that many have loved for years, present in the international blues scene. "LUKE WINSLOW KING" (from New Orleans) will be accompanied by a talented and sought after Italian bluesman ROBERTO LUTI also known for a worldwide project (Play For Change).
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Click here to get the full program.
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