In an electoral campaign atmosphere, which also ended up involving Perugia1416 between pro-Scoccia supporters and pro-Ferdinandi detractors, the historical re-enactment came to life on Saturday, after the archery on Friday evening.
The historical re-enactment, organized by the social promotion association Perugia1416, saw the inauguration at 10.30 in via Maestà delle Volte of the “Contrada dei mestieri medieval artisan district”, stalls of ancient crafts with live demonstrations, including beating the currency of the time: the Perugian Grosso.
At the same time, in Corso Vannucci and in the streets of the historic centre, performances by street artists and theatrical urban trekking were held, to discover hidden places and ancient stories of Perugia, organized by Stefano Venarucci, artistic director of the event, and Tieffeu. Free participation with meeting and ending in front of the entrance to the Palazzo dei Priori in Corso Vannucci (duration 1 hour and 20 minutes with a reply to follow).
Also from 10.30 in Piazza IV Novembre the living history in the square organized by the Compagnia del Grifoncello and with the chivalric tournament for children with Tieffeu.
Moving towards Palazzo dei Priori, there is space for “Civitas Perusina”, a visit to the Nobili Collegi della Mercanzia and del Cambio and the municipal halls of Palazzo dei Priori with the exceptional guidance of the art historian Franco Ivan Nucciarelli.
Saturday afternoon
From 3.00 pm in the Sala dei Notari of Palazzo dei Priori the loop screening of the first two episodes of the Docu-Fiction “Braccio 3.0” will be broadcast (the third episode can be seen on Amazon Prime Video) while at 4.30 pm in Piazza IV Novembre There will be a performance by the drummers of the Nobilissima Parte de Sopra of Assisi and the flag-wavers of Assisi.
The highlight of the day is the one scheduled at 5.30 pm in Piazza Matteotti with the Mossa alla Torre (in the photo by Adriano Scognamillo), the second race which will see the athletes of the 5 Rioni compete for victory. It is an original, exciting and pressing competition. It is characterized by a “machine” (the tower) decorated with the district symbols which, moved until it determines the victory of one of the two teams, sees the districts facing each other two by two in a competition of physical strength aimed at eliminating the opposing team through game of tactics, muscular energy and cooperation. Last year it was the Magnificent Rione of Porta Sole that won the Mossa alla Torre competition followed by the Magnificent Rioni of Porta Eburnea, Porta San Pietro, Porta Sant’Angelo and Porta Santa Susanna. The score obtained in the competition will be added to that of the Archery, Drape Race and Parade competitions to decide the winning district on Sunday.
The taverns
The taverns are scheduled to open at 7.30 pm. At the Carducci Gardens there will be the Magnificent Rione of Porta Eburnea in collaboration with the Magnificent Rioni of Porta Sole and Porta Santa Susanna; at Tempo Bono (in via del Cortone 45) the Magnifico Rione tavern in Porta San Pietro; in via dei Pellari 16 the tavern of the Magnificent District of Porta Sant’Angelo. All with traditional local dishes with a medieval flavour. Furthermore, at the Pizzeria Marchigiana in via dei Priori, you can taste the pizzas of the districts, with ingredients and creative combinations that recall the local colours.
Throughout the day it will be possible to visit the “Pagine Di Medioevo” book market, which will remain open during the days of the event in via Mazzini, at the “Galeazzo Alessi” Exhibition Center (another novelty of this edition), organized by the Libreria Grande di Perugia . It will also be possible to admire the exhibitions “Perugia in miniature” by Sandro Raspa and Graziella Ciribifera, “Sketches of eco-designed clothes” by the students of the Istituto Italiano Design Perugia (preliminary to the creation of the two prototypes displayed in the showcase of the Perugia Foundation on Corso Vannucci, together with the Palio 2024 by Maria Serena Colombo, student of the Academy of Fine Arts), “Braccio LV”, the three-dimensional work by MaMo Donnari and “Stones suspended between heaven and earth”, paintings by Carla Romani. In an absolute novelty, the demo of the video game “Ludus Perusinus”, produced by the Perugia1416 Association, inspired by the Perugian “Sassaiola”.
The program for Sunday, the day of the Grand Parade
The Grand Procession in honor of Braccio will be the most evocative moment of the final day of the ninth edition of Perugia1416, scheduled in the historic center of Perugia until Sunday 16 June 2024. The parade will begin at 5 pm with the departure of the Regency Procession from the headquarters of Perugia1416 (located in via Oberdan 50) followed by that of Braccio Fortebracci which, from Piazza Italia, will start along the entire Corso Vannucci to rejoin the other in Piazza Grande (Piazza IV Novembre). Here the meeting between the two processions will take place and the first black Prior, belonging to the Noble College of Mercanzia, will welcome Braccio as the new lord of the City by handing him the keys to the city under the Griffin, symbol of Perugia. Immediately after, the five districts, interpreting the unique 2024 theme which is the “journey”, will parade in the order of the ranking of the previous edition (first Porta Eburnea followed by Porta Sant’Angelo, Porta San Pietro, Porta Sole and Porta Santa Susanna) , starting from Piazza della Repubblica, along Corso Vannucci to arrive in Piazza IV Novembre. The 5 Rioni will be judged by the Jury for their historical relevance, interpretation and scenography. The Grand Procession will continue with the parade, in order, of the guest delegations: Montone (Donation of the Santa Spina), Todi (The Challenge of S. Fortunato – Arcus Tuder), Torgiano (Company of Tavernieri and Winemakers of the Community of Torgiano), Camerino (Sword Race and Palio), Senigallia (The Solemn Entrance), Visso (Tournament of Guaite), L’Aquila (Rosso d’Aquila Company). The parade will be brought forward to 4pm with the performance of Gubbio’s flag-wavers in Piazza IV Novembre.
Immediately after the Grand Parade, the Drappo Race will begin, the third and final sporting race. The athletes will run in the ring between Piazza IV Novembre, Corso Vannucci, Piazza della Repubblica and back. The Corsa del Drappo, won last year by Porta Sant’Angelo, is a speed and endurance relay that involves four changes per team, one per lap, for a total of five laps. During the procession and the race that will follow, the public is not allowed to cross. If necessary, please cross at the beginning of the Corso in Piazza Italia.
During the race, the parade jurors will deliver their evaluations which, added to the scores of the sports competitions, will decree the name of the winning district of the 2024 Palio who will be awarded (at approximately 7 pm) all over again at the steps of Palazzo dei Priori. As always, the Captain of the People, who previously took the victory collar off the neck of the Captain of the Rione who won the last edition (Porta Eburnea), hands it to Braccio who puts it on the Captain of the Rione who won the Palio 2024 (the work by Maria Serena Colombo, winner of the “An artist’s palio” competition, reserved for students of the “Pietro Vannucci” Academy of Fine Arts in Perugia). The re-enactment will end with a general celebration in the taverns of the districts and in the restaurants of the historic center.
Even during the last day it will be possible, from 10 am onwards, to attend, visit or participate in various initiatives. In via Maestà delle Volte there is the “Contrada dei mestieri medieval artisan district”, stalls of ancient crafts with live demonstrations, including beating the currency of the time: the Perugian Grosso. At the “Galeazzo Alessi” Exhibition Center, in via Mazzini, there is the “Pagine Di Medioevo” book market, organized by the Libreria Grande di Perugia, where the presentation of the Repubblica Guide to Umbrian Historical Reenactments is also scheduled. Umbria in Piazza”, in the presence of the director of the Repubblica Guide Giuseppe Cerasa, the president of the Perugia1416 association Teresa Severini and two well-known Umbrian chefs, mentioned in the guide: Marco Lagrimino (Ristorante L’Acciuga) and Ada Stifani (Ristorante Ada Gourmet).
Also at 10am, in Corso Vannucci, there are scheduled performances by street artists, along the streets of the historic centre, and a theatrical urban trekking, to discover hidden places and ancient stories of Perugia, curated by Stefano Venarucci, artistic director of the event, and Tieffeu. Free participation with meeting and ending in front of the entrance to the Palazzo dei Priori in Corso Vannucci (duration 1 hour and 20 minutes with a reply to follow). Also planned is “The places of Braccio”, the one-hour guided tour from Piazza Matteotti to Piazza IV Novembre, Sala dei Notari and Logge di Braccio and, passing through the medieval aqueduct, San Francesco al Prato, the Perugian Pantheon with visit to the Oddi Chapel, where Braccio returned to rest (meeting place and departure: Piazza Matteotti, arrival place: San Francesco al Prato; the cost of the visit, dog friendly, is €12, free participation up to 12 years. Reservations are recommended: 371-3116801 or via email to [email protected]).
From the same time, in the morning, in Piazza IV Novembre there will still be living history demonstrations in the square by the Compagnia del Grifoncello and the chivalric tournament for children with Tieffeu. While in the Sala dei Notari of Palazzo dei Priori the loop screening of the first two episodes of the Docu-Fiction “Braccio 3.0” will be broadcast (the third episode can be seen on Amazon Prime Video).
The taverns are scheduled to open at 7.30 pm. At the Carducci Gardens there will be the Magnificent Rione of Porta Eburnea in collaboration with the Magnificent Rioni of Porta Sole and Porta Santa Susanna; at Tempo Bono (in via del Cortone 45) the Magnifico Rione tavern in Porta San Pietro; in via dei Pellari 16 the tavern of the Magnificent District of Porta Sant’Angelo. All with traditional local dishes with a medieval flavour. As per tradition, after the celebrations and reports in their own district, everyone will meet at the Carducci Gardens to close the challenge and the evening in friendship! Furthermore, at the Pizzeria Marchigiana in via dei Priori, you can taste the pizzas of the districts, with ingredients and creative combinations that recall the local colours.
