by Maria Giulia Pensosi
Many, many people. The key event of Cantamaggio, like every year, was fully booked. Adults and children alike flock to the barriers along Corso Tacito to admire the May floats among photos, videos and smiles. A real ‘welcome to spring’ in Terni style.
SEE THE PHOTOS OF THE SHOW
WATCH THE VIDEO OF THE SHOW
The evening The float parade started at 9.30pm and the party in the center lasted until after midnight. Today, however, there is great anticipation to find out which maggiaiolo group, and therefore which float, will be the winner of the 128th edition of Cantamaggio. Last year the Maggiaiolo group from Arrone triumphed with the ‘Armonie de Maggiu’ float. This year the papier-mâché giants gave life to various themes, ‘talking’ about gender violence, wars, love, nature, respect for the environment, spring and dreams. While waiting to know the winner, let’s take a closer look at the six ‘giants’ competing in the 2024 edition of the event.
‘May Garden’ Flowers, girls and boys playing carefree and approaching life, so as not to forget the magnificent sensations of youth. This is the central theme of the float of the San Giovanni maggiaiolo group. A garden in which the little ones enjoy themselves, learn what friendship is, grow up with the help of the older ones, learn values such as patience, respect, savor the feeling of being free, like when you fly ‘ on a swing. In the center there is a large slide in the shape of a red shoe, the message that the maggiaioli wanted to convey has reached the city loud and clear: respect. “Our freedom and that of others is and must be the most important thing.” During the parade it preceded the float ‘The De Lo Grifone’ company.
‘Maggiaiola utopia’ The float of the Pallotta-Polymer-Sabbione group represents the feeling of a person who is very worried about the world in which he is living and ‘takes refuge’ in a dream. Wars, feminicides, everyday disappointments scare her and so she dreams, she hopes that by looking at the world from afar, from the moon, she will be able to perceive it better, without violence. Accompanying her on her journey is a majestic spaceship. Tuesday evening before the papier-mâché giant the Adamo Cucchi band and majorettes from Configni.
‘Earth day is everyday’ «Nature’s cries of pain are no longer news. Why should man care if he is the only creator of all the changes that are putting the survival of the entire planet at risk?”, this is the question posed by the maggiaiolo group from Montecastrilli which has in its wagon chosen to give space to bees, butterflies and flowers as an expression of rebirth, joy and beauty. The theater company ‘Le Maceole’ will lead the way.
‘Friendly nature – Friendly countryside’ Nature awakening, spring welcomed with a big hug, traditions. This is how the group The Lovers of Cantamaggio Casali-Cesi bid farewell to the month of May. On the float, children, flowers, colours, poems and also a representation of the tennis player Sinner: a true hymn to nature. During the parade, making way for the papier-mâché giant, ‘Labandallegra’.
‘An infinite spring’ A white mute swan, a strong symbol of love, of
beauty and sovereignty animates the scene. With his wings he tries to protect a sphere that represents the earth, but is annoyed by a black swan “hungry for hatred and the wrong ideals of our society”. The message of the float of the Maggiaiolo group of Arrone is clear: the ‘good’ that tries to drive away the ‘evil’, a strong message of peace and equality. The wish to make life ‘an infinite spring’. On Tuesday evening, before the float, also the Arrone musical band.
’50 years of ‘n ‘love ‘nfinitu’ The protagonists of the Lu Riacciu float are the two donkeys Giggetto and Rosetta who are celebrating their golden wedding. Their love is an inspiration for today’s young people who learn the art of mutual respect and dedication from yesterday’s ‘donkeys’. The message represented by a big screen and a couple of lovers? «No artificial intelligence will ever be able to replace the alchemy of two hearts beating in unison». Preceding the papier-mâché giant during the parade was the fitness center
Never Give Up. The Lu Riacciu group is also the creator of the seventh float, out of competition, ‘The float of pens’ which, like every year, closed the parade by distributing pasta to everyone.
