Monza, 9 June 2024 – The magic of Historical re-enactment has returned to enchant the city, which has been the stage for the 43rd edition since the afternoon, with the medieval paintings of the people and ancient crafts under the Arengario, the flag-wavers in the streets and the actual procession in the evening, which made its way through the crowd who had arrived for the occasion. All with umbrellas under their arms and their noses in the air, braving the weather and the late afternoon clouds.
A show that is repeated every year, but this time it represented a somewhat special edition, which as well as seeing Queen Teodolinda paradefounder of the Monza Cathedral and testimonial of the event over the centuries, it was dedicated to San Gerardo.
In fact, we also owe one to the co-patron saint of Monza foundation important: that of the Hospital which still bears his name. “1174 – 2024. In Gerardo’s hospital; 850 years of care and devotion” was the title of this edition, to remember the convention promoted by Gerardo dei Tintori to establish the city hospital. The saint is from Monza he wanted to place his hospital under the protection of the civil and religious authorities, to ensure that he survived his death. The historical re-enactment was an extraordinary event led by Ghi Meregallicreator, a true collective rite of recovery of Monza traditions.
“The Meregalli family has been in Monza since the 1600s and I was born in via Lambro – the promoter recalled several times – I am proud to have carried on the historical re-enactment for 43 years, even if it is very tiring”.
In procession Saint Gerard (Simone Deponti)actor of the company “I divergenti” directed by Daniela Bonetti ei conversi, and Teodolinda, who has always been a testimonial of the re-enactment. The flag-wavers of the Torre di Primaluna opened the procession, and then the 350 participants in period costume, many of whom come from over 20 cultural associations in Brianza and Lombardy; with an organization that involved around 1000 people between volunteers, participants and artisans.
Thousands of people from Monza and the surrounding area arrived last night, distributing themselves through the streets of the centre, from Largo Mazzini, Via Italia, Via Vittorio Emanuele, going up from Via Lambro to Piazza Duomo, looking for the best position from which to enjoy the passage of the participants, fascinated by the magnificent costumes, inspired by the Zavattari paintings. Teodolinda and Agilulf marched with San Gerardo and the lay brothers, with the members of the court and the cathedral treasure in tow. On the program, under the spiers of the Cathedral, the usual theatrical performance (presented by Paola Giambelli), also inspired by the signing of the Convention that established the hospital, animated by the theater company “I divergenti”, directed by Daniela Bonetti. And then the dancers of Stefania Fumagalli’s Arte & Spettacolo, singers of the San Gerardo Choir and the soprano Sonia Iacchetti and even stilt walkers, the acrobats of the Compagnia dei Folli and the animations accompanied by music and the flight of Teodolinda’s dove on the hot air balloon.
A show for which it was a giant screen was also set up, in Piazza Trento and Trieste, since for security reasons only 1200 people were admitted to Piazza Duomo. The event had the support of the Municipality, Region, Arco Spedizioni, Acinque, Sapio, Bcc Carate Brianza, BrianzAcque, Rovagnati, Galbusera, Monza and Brianza foundation and ConfCommercio.
