by Anthony Savvides
Every year since 1448, the Medieval Umbrian city of Foligno has hosted the Giostra della Quintana, a knight jousting tournament. Beginning in 1946, the tournament was reinvented and rejuvenated during a festival in the city, and has remained an annual tradition ever since. This year, marking the 66th edition, promises to be as thrilling as ever. With events planned through the 23rd of September, this year’s Giostra della Quintana got off to a strong start with the flag ceremony on August 30, during which the colors of the ten participating city areas, or “rioni”, were on display throughout the city squares. In this period each “rione” runs his own “taverna” (restaurant) cooking tasty Medieval dishes.
The Piazza San Niccolò and Palazzo Candiotti are currently home to a variety of street vendors, jugglers and artists, and there are more than 100 street vendors for the duration of the festival selling a range of traditional products. At the “Dante Alighieri” Library of Foligno, there are also displays of beers, masks, leather and, for the first time, the workshop of the luthier, who creates and repairs string instruments.
The classic, historic tournament will come to an end this weekend with back-to-back events. First, beginning tomorrow at 21:00 (on Saturday), there will be a parade through the streets to honor the areas of Foligno, followed by the blessing of the knights in the Piazza della Repubblica at 23:00.
On Sunday, the grand finale of the tournament will begin promptly at 8:00 and continue throughout the day, highlighted by the “Tournament of Quintana Revenge” at Campo li Giochi (Pitch of Games) at 15:00.