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Tournament of the Quintana 2009
The
Tournament of the Quintana, revived in 1946, is inspired by a horseback
contest that dates back to the seventeenth century, to determine the
order of priority for an honourable knight in his allegiance to the
prince or to his ladylove.
Among the various hypothesis for the celebrations, they accepted without
any reserve the one proposed by a member of the society: Emilio De Pasquale.
He proposed an equestrian competition in historic costume to be organized
at the same time of the Carnival, underlining the possibility to find
again in this event an occasion of communion and harmony among all the
population.
The Tournament of the Quintana can be found since the second half of
1400, and the traditional costumes have always been realized by dressmakers
of the city inspired by the fashion of the period, but controlled by
an artistic commission in charge of the selection. Rich fabrics, velvets,
geometric laces, rigid collars and large blankets draped on the shoulder
and falling on the right arm, are the true protagonists of the event,
adding to the procession magnificence and elegance. Foligno, during
the Tournament of the Quintana, live again in a climate of cavaliers
competition of the 600s.
Ten cavaliers representing the quarters Ammanniti, Badia, Cassero, Castrastagna,
Croce Bianca, Giotti, La Mora, Morlupo, Pugilli, Spada, are competing
in the city stadium, in a spectacular race of high tension. In three
successive competitions cavaliers on steeeds, have to reach with a lances
the centre of rings of a diameter always smaller hanging on the arm
of a wood statue representing a warrior of the XVIIth century. On the
evening of the competition, a procession of 600 personages walk through
the streets of the city accompanied by baroque choreographies and music
while in the nobles palaces and in the streets close to the main square,
one can taste the antique recipes of Umbrian dishes of the 600s.
Date:
2009 June 12th and 13th - 2009 September 12th and 13th