The traditional ceremony of the Donation of Ceri took place on Saturday afternoon, 11 May, on the occasion of the celebrations for the Blessed Virgin of Graces, patron of the city, which, like every year, opens the events of the Niballo Palio of Faenza. The processions of the five districts of Faenza and the municipal group reached the cathedral, crossing the square just before 6pm, to attend the Eucharistic celebration of HE the Bishop, Monsignor. Mario Toso. Each district delegation was made up of a drummer, two flag-wavers, a candle holder, two male figures, a banner holder, two armed men and the Ward Leader. The Municipal Group was instead made up of five clarions, five drummers, a banner holder, a candle holder, the regent of the Municipal Group, the Podestà della Giostra, new for 2024, will be Cristian Malavolti, a notable, four armed men, three wheels and the Field Master. Another novelty is the presence of five of the knights who will run the Jousts of the Bigorda d’Oro and the Palio, one for each district, who will position themselves near the Chapel of the Beata Vergine delle Grazie. In particular, Enrico Gnagnarella (Borgo Durbecco), Gertian Cela (Yellow Rione), Alberto Liverani (Black Rione), Matteo Rivola (Red Rione) and Stefano Venturelli (Green Rione) were present. After the donation of the candles, the ceremony concluded with a further novelty. Leaving the cathedral, the Palio holder showed the city, for the first time, the banner of the Palio del Niballo 2024, painted by the artist Giancarlo Montuschi. The Bishop then imparted his blessing to the knights in the churchyard of the Cathedral. The cloth is now displayed at the Altar of the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin of Graces until 23 June, the day of the dispute of the Niballo Palio of Faenza, when at 4.00 pm will leave the Cathedral to be taken in procession to the Campo della Giostra and subsequently delivered to the winning Knight and Rione.
