by Laura Valdesi
SIENA
“A splendid titular celebration. The victory on 17 August 2022 brought a breath of serenity and tranquility. Leocorno is a square and compact Contrada, alive and animated. I am really proud to represent it”, admits the prior Alessandro Mariotti. What Tittia defined, during the victory dinner, as her “favourite” honoree, complete with a kiss on the head. Success is the word that recurs most in Mariotti’s vocabulary because the flight of Violenta da Clodia ridden by the German Sardinian made Pantaneto ‘explode’. “As participation but also enthusiasm. And then, how many young people”, the prior photographs the situation.
A special celebration because you return to the square after a year away from the tuff.
“We return victorious but even more lively than before. And with great enthusiasm, I repeat.”
Mariotti underlines the participation of the contrada members.
“There are always a lot of people, even at the grandparents’ snack time. We went to get many of them from home to enjoy the days of the festival. I would also like to underline that on the stage during the days of the Palio there will be around 200 of our seats, those of the little ones, around thirty of the Magistrate and another 35 were given to us by Chiocciola”.
The Giro will also see important numbers.
“On Sunday there will now be 95 mounted, very many.”
Today there is “LeconArt”.
“Every two years we organize an exhibition in the Contrada and this time it is dedicated to Cesare Olmastroni. Over a dozen works. The idea was born when the son gave Leocorno the reserve Palio of ’93 that his father created. A tribute on our part, therefore, after this beautiful gesture. Today at 6.45 pm the inauguration. In the city until now only one exhibition had been dedicated to Olmastroni. As for the staging of events like this, they are part of the artistic tradition of Leocorno”.
By the way, on June 25th the novices’ comedy in two acts, ‘Didietro nel futuro’, will be staged at the Costone.
“An important opportunity to keep the younger kids together. And the proceeds will all go to charity.”
He always comes back to the word “youth”.
“Because it’s true that you have to look after the kids, but the important thing is that they hang out, making them grow up in a healthy Contrada. That gives something and also demands in return.”
A good relationship with captain Marco Minucci?
“Full harmony, a glance between us is enough to understand. He is working and Leocorno always tries. It would be nice to maintain the tradition of doing an encore shortly after a success: 1919 and then 1920, 1950 and 1954, then 1980 and 1983. And again 1993 and 1995, 2000 and 2001. If it’s fate we are ready to face another victory.”
In the field there is also the Civetta. The prior of Castellare underlined the good relationship between managements and the commitment to correctly manage the rivalry.
“I confirm, an excellent relationship. And there is harmony in the way of conceiving the Palio and the rivalry that must be in the Square, outside we are all Sisters. And we have demonstrated it, mutually”.
Have you already had a meeting in the municipality regarding this matter?
“It will be next week, I’m sure it will be very quick because we already agree on everything.”
