Usually May means, also, fireflies.
But we’re in June!
And this year I saw my first fireflies on the first of June, wandering about in a very light and gentle rain, in the dark and wild countryside of Cortona.
Magical.
I found myself thinking: “Fireflies under the rain.. don’t they get electric shocks?…”
Ridiculous thought, Lucia.
Ok. June.
In Cortona.
The first week of June is all for the Archidado Joust!
In this occasion our beautiful etruscan town goes all medieval, more colorful than ever..
People go crazy and especially on the last day of the festival you find maids, knights, medieval civil and religious authorities, flags and crossbows at every corner.
Trumpets! Flutes! Drums!
It’s nearly weird.
If I were in a silly mood, I’d say we had time portals opened once a year…
Chatting away...
Flagthrowing
The Joust was officially instituted in 1397 to celebrate a very important wedding between a local lord and a noblewoman from Siena: Francesco Casali and Antonia Salimbeni. Throughout the week all sorts of medieval events take place, from religious ceremonies in honour of our patron Santa Margherita to delicious food banquets
AND
on the last day of the celebration, finally, the crossbow competition: the Archidado!
The challenge is for the 5 Quintieri (districts) of the town;
each of them have different beautiful coloured costumes which bear their emblems.
Only one of them will win and conquer the desirable “Verretta d’Oro”! The prize!
The people of each district support their champions in a very exciting competitive way…
you can even SMELL the rivalry, in the streets, during this special week!
The crossbowers
On monday I sneaked out to TRY and take pictures of the of the flag-throwers, rehearsing their choreographies at night, but I was kind of… gently… kicked out! They must have thought I was a spy from some other town in Tuscany…
I won’t post the ghastly picture I managed to take walking away!!
So, on Sunday, 5th of June…which one of the 5 districts will be the winner??
Santa Maria, San Vincenzo, Peccioverardi, Sant’ Andrea or my district: Poggio-San Marco?
The Archidado
I’d like you to read out loud these last words,
with a provocative tone followed by an evil laugh, please:
“WE’LL SEE…”
In Italian as well, please:
“VEDREMO…”
Thank you!
Lucia
