Friday 7 and Saturday 8 June 2024 get back to Monza the appointment with the Monzese Historical Reenactmentin its forty-third edition, this year entitled 1174-2024, in Gerardo’s hospital 850 years of care and devotion. An edition full of news and focused on tale of the illustrious parable of our fellow patron Saint Gerard and the foundation of the hospital dedicated to him, the first secular hospital in the city.
The traditional procession of participants along the streets of the historic center and the show in Piazza Duomo they are in fact only the final stage of a journey that started in February, when in the city hospital the groups belonging to the Monza Historical Reenactment Committee, led by Ghi Meregalli, creator of the event, were protagonists of the great event on the occasion of the 850th anniversary of its foundation. Once again the participants were present at the 2024 edition of Monza in bloomthe largest open-air flower market in the city.
In the days preceding the famous procession, this year scheduled for Saturday 8 June, ample space is given to the exclusive presentation of the artefacts created over the years by the volunteers of the associations linked to the re-enactment. In particular, in the shops of the historic center – La Rinascente, Andros, Le Menegatto – they are the clothes worn by the participants and which have made the Monzese Historical Reenactment famous since the first edition are on display: faithful and highly prized reproductions of the clothes worn by the characters of Theodelinda’s court in the frescoes of the Zavattari Chapel, recognized as among the most beautiful historical dresses among those produced in Italy.
In the evening of Friday 7 June, the protagonists are the culinary traditions of the area. The Monza Historical Re-enactment Committee and the Luganega Monza Producers Association come together from 7.00 pm in a delicious and fun evening open to all citizens in Piazza Trento and Trieste starring the risotto with luganegawhich has become the icon of typical Brianza cuisine.
The highlight of the Monzese Historical Reenactment 2024 is that of Saturday 8 Junewith the procession animated by hundreds of people in period costume, many of whom come from cultural associations from Lombardy and who for the first time are part of the great machine of the Monzese Historical Reenactment. The procession crosses the streets of the historic center of Monza and ends with the traditional show in Piazza Duomo. Unmissable, needless to say, the Queen Teodolindawith the members of his court and the Treasury in tow.
The event opens at 4.00 pm in the Piazza dell’Arengario with a medieval market, where you can watch the flight tests of talented falconers, who are also ready to let children play. Here you can also discover the old jobssuch as lace making, and take a dive into the past with the protagonists of the time, the parade of flag-wavers to announce the important event.
The historical parade moves starting at 9.00 pm from Largo Mazzini winding through the streets of the historic center towards Piazza Duomo. Under the spiers of Cathedralat 9.00 pm, the usual one finally opens theatrical performance: medieval actors, dancers and singers from the area, as well as stilt walkers, acrobats, and then pyrotechnic games and amazing animations characterize the last part of the evening, which sees the churchyard come alive with the magical performance of the International Company of Fools accompanied by music and the unmissable flight of the theodolindian dove on the hot air balloon. To ensure greater safety, the show in Piazza Duomo is accessible via online booking.
Starting from 4.00 pm the event is also told through a maxi screen positioned in Piazza Trento and Triestewhich broadcasts repertoire images in the afternoon and in the evening allows those present to see the show live from Piazza Duomo.
The appointment is aimed at financing the psycho-oncology projects active at the San Gerardo hospital: an opportunity for the Monza Historical Reenactment Committee to act as a supporter of initiatives in favor of citizens and witness to the story of the social evolution of the city of Teodolinda.
