ASTI The Palio of the flag-wavers will close, Saturday 11 May, the patronal celebrations in Asti. The appointment is at 8.45pm in Piazza Alfieri, where the procession of musicians and flag-wavers will arrive, leaving from Piazza Roma at 8.30pm (in case of bad weather, the event will take place on Sunday 12 May at 11am; if the bad weather persists even on this day, the Palio of the flag-wavers will take place at the Palabrumar San Quirico).
The event will be preceded by the awarding of the Order of San Secondo. Kermesse dedicated to the sport of the flag, the Palio of the flag-wavers or “Paliotto” sees over two hundred athletes take to the field every year. Their performance is evaluated by the judges of the Italian Flag-waving Federation.
The initiative is deeply felt, especially by young people, who find a place to gather in the Palio committees of the districts, villages and municipalities involved. The event is the most important moment to verify the real expertise of the local groups.
Under the careful and severe eye of the experts and in the presence of the Captain of the Palio and his group, the athletes engage in particularly spectacular exercises and figures, to win, in addition to numerous prizes, the Antependium (a cloth smaller in size than the one of the race and which bears the insignia of the city).
There will also be a banner for the best group of musicians.
Manuela Zoccola
