After the success of previous editions, Friday 5th and Saturday 6th July the innovative returns International Templar Festival‘ (5-6 July), directed by the historian and essayist Simonetta Cerrini it’s yes Gian Piero Alloisioplaywright and singer-songwriter.
In Alessandria, in the suggestive Piazza Santa Maria di Castello, the two worlds of historians and artists will come together in two evening shows (Friday 5th July at 9pm, The sisters of the Temple e Saturday 6th July at 9pm, Mary and the Templars) aimed at telling a large audience how the most fascinating knight friars of the Middle Ages crossed the faces of women.
Was it possible that an order that was already paradoxical in itself, which had revolutionized medieval patterns by uniting the religious and the fighter, the warrior and the monk in a single person, could welcome women within it? And anyway, did Templar sisters really exist? Of the Templar nuns? Nuns, sisters, wives, servants, lovers, saints and queens: what was the attitude of the famous friar-knights towards women? To which saints did the Templars dedicate their churches, whose relics did they preserve, and which saints did they pray to?
Among the speakers, in addition to Simonetta Cerrini, Mary Josephine Muzzarelli (Alma Mater Professor, former full professor of Medieval History at the University of Bologna), scholar of the history of culture, fashion, the role of women in the Middle Ages, and part of the scientific committee of Passato e Presente (RAI3); Valerie Alaniecescholar of the Templar Sisters in Champagne, promoter and vice-secretary of the Templars Route European Federation; François Gilet, former owner of the Templar commandery of Avalleur; Don Stephen Thessaly (University of Eastern Piedmont). Helen Nicholsonemerita of Cardiff University, one of the greatest scholars of the Templars, will be present with some video interventions.
Among the artists, in addition to Gian Piero Alloisio, Juan Carlos “Skinny” Biondinihistoric guitarist of Francesco Guccini, singer and pianist Elisabetta Gagliardi, Antonio Marangoloarranger of Paolo Conte and musician of Francesco Guccini and the Alessandria choir Cor’Allievi. The company’s rebuilders Mansio Templi Parma 1275 will represent moments in the life of the Templars. The association of reenactors will also be present Guardians of the Roads.
The poet, singer-songwriter and writer Francesco Guccini will remember Umberto Eco in a video speech.
Saturday 6 July, Hall of the Civic Museum of Palazzo Cuttica – 4.15 pm: presentation of Templars Route European Federation con Valerie Alaniece, Francois Gilet e Simonetta Cerrini; presentation of books by Maria Giuseppina Muzzarelli, Covered Heads. Stories of Women and Veils (il Mulino 2016) and, with Luca Molà and Giorgio Riello, All the pearls of the world. Stories of travel, exchanges and magnificent ornamentsi, (il Mulino 2023). Connected remotely, the writer, poet and playwright Dacia Marainiauthor of Clare of Assisi. In Praise of Disobedience (Rizzoli, 2013).
For a Festival in a pop key which aims to tell a wide audience both the true story of the Templars and the story of their legend.
Entrance is free. We recommend booking the three events on the website Eventbrite.
The program
TWO CONFERENCES-SHOWS
Piazza Santa Maria di Castello, 5 and 6 July at 9pm
Friday 5 July 2024, 9pm Piazza Santa Maria di Castello
Le sorores del Tempio
Did the Templar nuns really exist? How did they dress, what tasks were reserved for women, nuns, sisters, benefactresses, servants, wives who lived in the Templar domus? The opening night of the Festival will bring out the unexpected and complex bond between the famous knight friars, the warrior monks, and women.
With: Gian Piero Alloisio, Simonetta Cerrini, Valérie Alanièce, Cor’Allievi, Custodes Viarum, Elisabetta Gagliardi, François Gilet, Mansio Templi Parmensis 1275, Antonio Marangolo, Maria Giuseppina Muzzarelli, and, in video, Francesco Guccini and Helen Nicholson.
Saturday 6 July at 9pm Piazza Santa Maria di Castello
Mary and the Templars
The second evening of the Festival will allow us to discover a lesser-known side of the Templars: what was their attitude towards women? What role did Mary or other saints have in their daily lives and in their imagination?
With: Gian Piero Alloisio, Simonetta Cerrini, Valérie Alanièce, Juan Carlos “Flaco” Biondini, Elisabetta Gagliardi, Mansio Templi Parmensis 1275, Maria Giuseppina Muzzarelli, Don Stefano Tessaglia and, in video, Dacia Maraini and Helen Nicholson.
MEETINGS WITH THE PUBLIC
Saturday 6 July, Hall of the Civic Museum of Palazzo Cuttica – 4.15 pm
- Presentation of the Templars Route European Federation with Valérie Alanièce, François Gilet and Simonetta Cerrini
- Presentation of the books by Maria Giuseppina Muzzarelli, A capo covered. Stories of women and veils (il Mulino 2016) and, with Luca Molà and Giorgio Riello, All the pearls of the world. Stories of travel, exchanges and magnificent ornaments, (il Mulino 2023). The Author talks with Simonetta Cerrini. You will follow Firmacopie.
- Remote connection with Dacia Maraini, who will talk about her latest book Vita mia. Giappone, 1943. Memoirs of an Italian girl in a prison camp (Rizzoli 2023).
