Keep On Italian Town Festivities? These Are Held Near Rome
Date, 08.24.2009
by Cristiano Rubbi
Keep On Italian Town Festiveties? These Are Held Near Rome
Sfida dei Borghi (Challenge of the Wards) - Monte Compatri.
Imagine a medieval-style archery contest, people dressed in period
costume surrounding the contest area and an attentive crowd following
every shot of the competitors. This is what you will see if you go to
Monte Compatri, a small town in the vicinity of Rome, in the middle of
August. The interest of the townsfolk is particularly keen because each
archer represents one of the towns 5 wards and a victory will enhance
the 'status' of a ward for the coming year. Before the actual contest
starts, a long, sumptuously dressed procession easily wins the
spectators admiration, thanks to the beautiful costumes worn by its 300
participants, who parade through the local streets packed with
enthusiastic crowds. Street artists and other performers complete a
truly interesting programme that is always enjoyed by the local
population as much as by visiting tourists.
Mercatini del 600 (17th century Markets) - Bassano Romano.
Would you like to spend a day back in the 17th century, do some
shopping among stalls arranged as they were at that time and have a
lunch or dinner based on age-old recipes? If you are interested, all
you have to do is go to Bassano Romano in early July. You will see
people dressed in a 17th century manner, while all decorations, from
flags to torches, from floral displays to typical local scenes will
reflect a way of living of days gone by, when people were undoubtedly
not as well off as they are today, but somehow seemed more serene and
less stressed than they are now. The event is viewed so important by
the local authorities and the entire population that every year experts
are called upon for advice and supervision in order to ensure maximum
accuracy in this living representation of the towns history.
Gara dei Giochi di Bandiera (Flag Wavers' Competition) - Piansano Romano.
Ever seen a live show of flag wavers dressed in medieval costume
drawing fantastic designs in the air, throwing their flags up above
them, catching them as they fall back and exchanging them with those of
other performers, all this being done to the rolling of drums or the
blare of trumpets? If you haven't had an opportunity of watching a
similar show, we recommend you take a short trip to Piansano Romano in
July. You wont regret it, we promise. This team, like many others, has
taken part in many exhibitions and contests with other teams elsewhere
in Italy as well as abroad. Among the countries where they have held
their performances, we might mention Britain, Germany, France , Spain,
Hungary and the United States.
Cena Medievale (Medieval Dinner) - Vignanello.
How can a small town in the vicinity of Rome be of interest to anyone
travelling to this area on the third week of July? Well, if you are
interested in seeing a medieval setting and at the same time having a
hearty dinner, with a menu that is taken directly from ancient recipes,
Vignanello is the place you want. Aside from the excellent quality of
the food and drink (the wine is the very best of local production), the
evening is characterized by a friendly and uninhibited atmosphere that
immediately makes all guests feel perfectly at home. And thats not all.
A historical procession takes place for the occasion, while flag-wavers
give ample proof of their ability in various exhibitions.
Infiorata (Flower Petal Art Display) - Genazzano.
This is one of Italy's most famous street art displays. It consists of
the artistic arrangement of millions of flower petals along the streets
of Genazzano, near Rome, in such a way as to create all sorts of
delicate designs on a variety of subjects. The whole display, which
dates from over a century ago and takes place on the first Sunday in
July, is well over half a mile long and demands great ability and
dedication on the part of the artists involved, who plan their work
well in advance. On Sunday afternoon, a solemn procession will follow
the route of the infiorata to celebrate the Feast of the Sacred Heart.
The procession too is extremely interesting from an artistic point of
view. Over 400 participants are dressed in carefully prepared costumes
to represent men, scenes and topics from the Old Testament, the New
Testament and the history of the Church. Pharaohs, queens, maids, Jews,
high priests, slaves and many other figures parade to portray a living
picture of great visual impact.
Sagra dei Bucatini all'Amatriciana (Festival of Bucatini all'Amatriciana) - Nerola.
You are no doubt familiar with many types of pasta. Have you ever
tasted bucatini, though? This variety is quite common in Central Italy,
particularly in the amatriciana version. The sauce is absolutely divine
and its ingredients include pancetta, which is similar to bacon. The
Festival that takes place at Nerola in late July/early August focuses
on this specialty and the result is invariably superb. We suggest that,
if you are in the Rome area on the date of the Festival, you visit
Nerola and see if you agree with our opinion. If you have tried
bucatini all'Amatriciana back home, you will probably notice a
considerable difference in taste, which is mostly due to the ability of
the housewives who prepare the pasta with their own hands, according to
traditional recipes that have been handed down for generations.To read another article by Cristiano Rubbi, please click on the specific link below!
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