Ludika 1243, an uncertain future for the Viterbo event
This year it will take place, but the municipality does not sign an agreement and it is increasingly difficult for the organizers to continue
06/09/2024 – 03:19
by Gabriele Mazzetti
VITERBO – The 24th edition of ‘Ludika 1243’, the long-awaited medieval event that animates the historic center of Viterbo, is upon us. The appointment is scheduled from 4 to 7 July, followed by a second part dedicated to board games which will be held from 12 to 15 September. Ludika will offer a series of engaging activities, including the return of the photography competition and collaboration with the Santa Rosa Study Center. The Children’s Village will be set up at Paradosso with the collaboration of “Battle for Vilegis”.
However, the fact that this edition comes to fruition is almost a mystery miracle. The organizers, in fact, faced considerable difficulties in raising the necessary funds for the event. Serenella Bovi, responsible for the event, explained the economic challenges encountered: “The cultural tender that provides us with part of the funds came out at the end of May. We will perhaps only know how much we will perceive once Ludika is finished. We once had an agreement, but the new administration did not recognize us as a major event because we did not exceed the spending budget of 30 thousand euros. The tender is a gamble: last year we were excluded due to a technicality, but in the end the administration intervened with aid of 7 thousand euros.”
The expenses for the organization are considerable. “Public land alone costs us around 5 thousand euros. After the pandemic it became impossible to spend certain sums, even if the municipality partially covers the costs. As an association we reach around 25 thousand euros of expenditure, we cannot go beyond that. Around 15 thousand euros would be enough to allow us to plan the event, but instead we have to face an adventure every year. Bureaucracy has become more complicated, especially for security plans. Even the pitched battle is in doubt, due to the construction sites in the external area of Valle Faul.”
A festival that deals with the Middle Ages, in a city that wants to focus on tourism and the historical vocation of its centre, should be more valued. “Ludika 1243 is one of the longest-running events in Viterbo and has always taken place in the historic center. Other festivals have greater income through sponsors, but we, dealing with history and the Middle Ages, are unable to find companies capable of supporting us. We have been holding the event for 24 years. Some municipalities were interested in us and invited us to move, but the community of Viterbo supports us and that’s why we didn’t move to Soriano nel Cimino a few years ago.”
The administration, for the moment, she did not take action to help Luduka, as Serenella Bovi says. “The Councilor for Culture, Alfonso Antoniozzi, has shown good intentions by proposing smaller agreements, but nothing has materialized. In these conditions we cannot grow, we must aim to survive. We are in pain. Fortunately Ludika is a family and the effort of the many volunteers allows us to move forward.”
The future of Ludika 1243 remains uncertain, but the determination of the organizers and the affection of the citizens of Viterbo continue to keep this tradition alive, hoping that the administration will take action to avoid losing an important heritage of Viterbo.
