After winning the third edition of the trophy dedicated to Umberto Moschini in the triangular match against Pisa and Waldum (Gualdo Tadino) last March 17th in Pisa – with the victory of both the team competition and the individual dogwood competition with the master of arms Mauro Tolomei -, the Contrade San Paolino will be guests of the Compagnia Balestrieri di Assisi during the Calendimaggio, an event held from 14 April to 14 May in Umbria.
On the programme, Balestra Antica da Banco’s match against the city team, which will take place on Wednesday (1 May) in front of a large audience.
The May Days are in fact one of the most important historical re-enactment events in Italy, which every year manages to attract many participants from beyond national borders. For the 2024 edition, which includes more than 300 thousand people in total, the Contrade San Paolino have been chosen by the Compagnia Balestrieri of Assisi, among all the Italian Balestra Antica da Banco Companies, to compete and perform on this international stage.
Away from Lucca, there will be around 40 crossbowmen, extras and drummers from Lucca, who will bear the name of Lucca in an important location.
THE PROGRAM
The Crossbow Antica da Banco competition will take place in Piazza Santa Chiara. After entering and arranging the groups in the square, the two companies will carry out test shots on the targets (one for each bench). The position of the desks will be established by drawing.
At 2.30 pm in Piazza del Comune the historical procession will begin, which from here will continue in the direction of Piazza Santa Chiara, where the competition will take place. The shooting competition with the ancient Crossbow from Banco starts at 3.15 pm, preceded and followed by the performance of the Company Groups. The competition will be a single shot on target. Finally, the decree of the winning team.
From Assisi to Lucca, with the next events of the Contrade San Paolino: Lucca Medievale and the Memorial Mario Puccetti, a tournament dedicated to one of the founders of the Contrade San Paolino and a point of reference for the entire association, which will be held on May 19th at the Baluardo San Paolino. This year the Waldum crossbowmen from Gualdo Tadino were invited to the competition.
Anticipation is growing for the city event organized every year by the Lucca association, which after the great success of participation last year returns to excite the city. The two-day Medieval Lucca is scheduled a week earlier than the usual June dates: Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th May, on the San Paolino bastion of the Urban Walls in front of the Casermetta, headquarters of the Contrade. Many guests will liven up the event inside the Medieval Village of ancient crafts, where you will be able to touch the medieval arts reproduced with great accuracy by the participants. There will be no shortage of shooting demonstrations with the ancient counter crossbow, traveling shows and street artists, the area dedicated to track food with craft beers and many delicacies. A real party for adults and children.
