Siena, 13 June 2024 – «A flagship that we enhance, day after day. Many tourists come to visit our museum. We will also soon launch a project for the visually impaired, which has already been approved. Which makes us proud”, explains the Prior of the Civetta Marco Ricci while there are already several visitors in the rooms. «Touch panels will be applied for the visually impaired which will allow them to orient themselves immediately – he adds regarding the latter – and training courses will also be held for our guides».
Ricci’s first party as prior: what is the mood?
«We face it with emotion because, beyond the Palio, it is the highlight of the year. There is no point in denying that when the opponent wins it is never pleasant, but the Civetta people are finding themselves. We were lucky enough to come out twice by chance, absorbing the disqualification, albeit not painlessly. At this stage I am feeling great euphoria for the Giro on Sunday and for the two Palios. There is a great desire for revenge.”
Desire to make up for it.
“Very, very much. If we could have raced the day after our rival’s victory we would have done so. Now we’re back in the Square, we’ll show that the Civetta is busy. We were behind the scenes for a moment but we will be there and they will definitely see us.”
Behind the scenes certainly but the management has always been on top of things during this season.
«It’s difficult to talk when you know you’re facing, perhaps, a couple of years of disqualification. The staff has done a great job and, since we came out of the lot, even more so. We’re on track.”
Then the main party and immediately the Palio follows.
«And we hope to continue even after July 2nd».
Let’s take a step back: how does Ricci understand the rivalry with Leocorno?
«I have an excellent relationship with the prior of Pantaneto, we have known each other since we were children. When I was president of the company I happened to be a guest at their place for dinner, feeling at home because of the welcome. It is clear that the rivalry has existed for many years but it must not lead to things that cannot be done. Young people and adults must understand this. Even the other evening at the ‘Dudo’ there was the Civetta-Leocorno match, nothing happened on the pitch. In the Square everyone will do their own thing, we will hinder each other, they will hinder us, I can’t say that. However, our management has the utmost respect for Leocorno as the latter has for Civetta. Above all, respect for the times that have changed, I continually repeat this to young people. There are social media, you lift a finger and you are immortalized, perhaps ruining your future. In view of the Palio, I am ready to put my hand on fire, nothing will happen. The message we spread will be received.”
Let’s go back to the titular festival: many events in the district.
«Last night the commemoration of the fallen in the Great War on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the installation of the monument, then there is the dinner of the pan in a slightly revisited form. Tomorrow (today, ed.) a bit of games in the Castellare with the dinner which coincides with the semi-final of the ‘Dudo Casini’. We will organize ourselves to allow those who want to go and watch, we will try to please everyone. The boys did a lot, it was right to encourage them and be there even if the main party is a special moment. Returning to the events, Jacopo Bruttini’s beautiful book which enriches our territory a little, will also be presented at 6.45pm”.
Contrada baptism on Saturday.
«Many children and not at the fountain. She gave us immense pleasure, there will be about forty of us. A large number, so much so that we anticipated it a little. Followed by the border reconnaissance tour which coincides with the University’s Graduation day but we have also organized this with the university”.
