ASTI The calendar of patronal celebrations in Asti, which will take place from 4 to 11 May, promises to be particularly rich and full of some innovations.
As tradition dictates, the esteem of the Palio will officially open the celebrations, kicking off the series of events (which will be illustrated in detail, ed.) in honor of San Secondo.
Two, in particular, are new this year: starting from the fireworks of the Lundes d’j feu, which for the first time will be accompanied by fascinating soundtracks, thus giving life to a pyromusical show of great impact and unique in its kind. ; furthermore, the closing event of the celebrations, i.e. the Palio of the flag-wavers, will take place in Piazza Alfieri, rather than in Piazza San Secondo. Furthermore, for the occasion, the Luna Park will be present in Piazza Campo del Palio from 1st to 12th May.
The municipal councilor for tourism and events Riccardo Origlia declared: -«Our Administration has a specific objective: to make Asti an increasingly touristy city. Bringing the Palio of the flag-wavers to Piazza Alfieri has great value for us, because it means making that place the symbol of all the great events of the capital. Recent “missions” abroad have shown that there is great interest in our city, capable of maintaining and enhancing ancient medieval traditions. In this regard, in 2025, the Palio will celebrate 750 years: we are already working to make the anniversary unforgettable.”
On the occasion of the presentation of the program for the patronal celebrations, the name of this year’s Palio Master was also made known, who will be the Pavia artist Stefano Bressani.
Mayor Maurizio Rasero commented: -«This choice, among the many applications received, has great significance: this artist collects the legacy of the illustrious Asti masters who preceded him and which allows the city to broaden its horizons, projecting itself into the future. Stefano Bressani is an Italian artist of international fame and will give the Palio a new point of view, with total respect for tradition, but with that creative spark which is the stylistic hallmark of his work.”
For his part, Bressani declared: «I am honored to become part of the great Palio family and to be able to put my art at the service of such an illustrious event. Throughout my career, I have worked a lot on the physiognomy of historical figures and on horses. My desire has always been to sign the Palio: for me this is a dream come true. I would therefore like to thank the mayor and the municipal administration for the trust they have placed in me. In particular, I will work on three concepts: San Secondo, the horse race and the ancient city, trying to put my art, made of color and materiality, at the service of Asti. I want to document the present starting from history and projecting Asti into the future.”
Manuela Zoccola
