Incredible but true in Chieuti, where the mayor Diego Iacono was ‘forced’ to decree the victory of a disqualified float, “ain order to avoid public order disturbances” and in light of what happened in the afternoon of the day of the race under the Municipal headquarters, where moments of tension would have occurred and big words would have been thrown at the organizers.
During the starting operations, the mayor was unable to pronounce the starting formula, as the first three wagons, namely those of Collefinocchio Vaccareccia, Collefinocchio San Vito and La Cittadella, would have left anticipating his order, a classic ritual formula that kicks off the competition.
The fourth float, that of the Giovanissimi, was the only one to wait for Iacono to stop. “Therefore, in light of what has been described, given the municipal regulation, specifically the art. 12, by right the winning wagon would be that of the Giovanissimi” we read in the mayor’s decree, which however, in order not to jeopardize the continuation of the patronal festival in honor of the patron saint San Giorgio Martire – and not to “nullify all the work done in recent years for the Carrese di Chieuti” – it is read – “had to concede the victory to the Chariot of La Cittadella, without merit, as despite arriving first at the finish line it was among the chariots to be disqualified”
“In spite of myself, against my principles and only for the protection of public order, the proclamation of the winning chariot La Cittadella and to authorize the president to take the prize to the church, where it is currently kept”.
Dozens and dozens of comments on social media: “How sad it is… to ruin such a beautiful party with useless scuffles, violence, ugly words and so on. There is no longer civility… but then they proclaim it loudly! That’s how it works now! Whoever causes the most trouble he’s right…”.
There are also those who have pointed the finger at the mayor: “In spite of myself, I feel like commenting. There is nowhere else where a Public Security authority, such as ‘The Mayor’, must include a personal opinion and feeling in decreeing, not the utmost correctness, I’m sorry. In this small community over the decades, if not centuries, a situation has occurred so serious that it compromises public order, these are peaceful people who sacrifice themselves for an entire year for 7 minutes of glory. It’s a shame. It could have been managed in a better way and fair”.
It’s still: “Practically, next year we will start without the mayor’s approval since there are no rules and you count for nothing.”
However, there are those who try to extinguish the controversy: “It must be said that the race took place and everything went well, there were no accidents or unpleasant things, everyone was able to see the power and strength of their respective chariots. Incorrectness and otherwise, in good faith or not, regulation and moments of tension aside, I believe that everyone, winners and losers, was pleased to participate in the historic and glorious event.”
Tags: Carrese Chieuti mayor forced award victory disqualified float spite
