For the first time in history, Porta San Giacomo won the Palio della Città di Lucera during the Tournament of Keys 2021, staged last night, Friday 13 August, in the evocative setting of the Augusteo Amphitheater.
Second classified Porta Albana, third Porta Foggia, fourth Porta San Severo and fifth Porta Troia.
“Our goalkeeper wins the Palio for the first time, we are delighted with this result, which was achieved thanks to the collaboration of all”, said the head of gate Giovanni Turco excitedly. As always, the 5 gates competed against each other in medieval games – tug-of-war, jackpot, sack race, archery and javelin throw – during which the participants demonstrated their strength and skill.
The 38th edition of the Tournament of Keys was particularly intense and exciting, because it saw all the participants lined up in a single big hug dedicated to the late Mosè La Cava, artistic director of yesterday, today, forever.
“Each of us is a little more alone because the central piece of this mosaic is missing […]. And when a piece is missing in a mosaic, the drawing appears incomplete, it can be fixed but that empty space remains and is clearly visible there. This empty space is an abyss for all of us, but we decided to experience the event with all the joy, energy, strength and beauty of which you were the promoter and tenacious supporter “said Gianni Finizio, president of APS Cinque Historic Doors, giving voice to every single participant.
The arena was filled with colors and costumes, with medieval-inspired music performed by the Ensemble Bona Fides, with dances coordinated by the choreographer Daniela Bognani and, above all, with the desire to participate in the history of the city. All under the watchful eye of the referees – Lucio Barbaro, Vincenzo Morelli, Umberto Cifaldi – and with the engaging conduct of Vito De Girolamo.
Also the artistic directors Giuseppe Grasso, Giuseppe De Sabato and Francesco Tozzi, who declared: “The Torneo delle Chiavi is the longest-running event in the city and has now entered the collective imagination. It is a total experience that covers different forms of expression: art, scenography, choreography, music, tailoring. Then there is the competitive side. linked to the disciplines and, finally, the historical aspect, even if it is a representation and not a re-enactment. Last but not least the social value of the event capable of generating a sense of belonging, creating a single great team “.
The events staged on 12 and 13 August – promoted by APS 5 Porte Storiche – City of Lucera and co-organized by the Municipality of Lucera – opened the “Estate, Muse, Stelle” program of the city of Lucera, recording a great and warm participation of the public. On 12 August the Amphitheater hosted the historical re-enactment of the Medieval Village. Handmaids, commoners, nobles and soldiers welcome visitors in a setting with medieval tents and work benches. Among the novelties of this 38th edition the minting of coins (11th-14th century), archery, medieval games, torture systems and siege machines. It was possible to admire musical instruments of the time – such as citole, psaltery, dulcimer – made by hand and played during the tournament.
To close the event was the fire show by ResExtensa Dance Company. But it doesn’t stop there. The 5 Historic Doors are already at work for the next activities and invite everyone to participate in the crowdfunding which will also serve to support the “Memorabilia” exhibition, a journey through the history of the Tournament of Keys from the first edition in 1983 to the present day, which will be set up in the premises of the San Leonardo Institute in Lucera.
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