MUTTON – “Donation of the Holy Thorn” from 14 to 21 August. Here is the program of the event.
THE PROGRAM
Sunday 14
Church of San Francesco 11 – “The war of the Eagle led by Braccio
Fortebraccio Count of Montone ”. Presentation of the book by Fiorenza Mosci.
Museum of San Francesco 15.30 – “Dames and Knights at the court of Braccio”. Investiture ceremony for boys and girls in the presence of Braccio Fortebraccio, organized by Sistema Museo.
Historic center 7pm – Local taverns open.
Piazza Fortebraccio 9 pm – Presentation of the Castellane and exchange of flags.
Monday 15
Museum of San Francesco 11:00 – “Secret Montone”. Theatrical visit to the Museum and the medieval village of Montone, organized by Sistema Museo.
Museum of San Francesco 16:30 – “Artists at the court”. Medieval art workshop where the Fortebracci family coat of arms will be painted with the fresco technique. The manufactured artifact will remain with the participants. Curated by Sistema Museo.
Rocca di Braccio 9.30 pm – Archery competition between the districts.
Tuesday 16
Rocca di Braccio 9.30 pm – Gauntlet. Popular games among the youth of the districts.
Wednesday 17
From 9 pm – “Con novo I look at what a love move”. Medieval representation of the Porta del Verziere district.
Thursday 18
From 9 pm – “The choice”. Medieval representation of the Porta del Borgo district.
Friday 19
Historic center 7 pm – “Sub tuum praesidium”. Medieval representation of the Porta del Monte district.
Saturday 20
Church of San Francesco 11:00 am – “Carlo Fortebracci patron and leader in Italy in the fifteenth century”. Conference. Speaker Alessandra Donati.
Museum of San Francesco 16:30 – “Artists at the court”. Medieval art workshop where the Fortebracci family coat of arms will be painted with the fresco technique. The manufactured artifact will remain with the participants. Curated by Sistema Museo.
Piazza Fortebraccio 9.30 pm Proclamation of the winning district.
Sunday 21
Museum of San Francesco 11:00 – “Secret Montone”. Theatrical visit to the Museum and the medieval village of Montone, organized by Sistema Museo.
Museum of San Francesco 16:30 – “Ladies and Knights at the court of Braccio”. Investiture ceremony for boys and girls in the presence of Braccio Fortebraccio, organized by Sistema Museo.
Historic center 5.30 pm – Historic Procession of the Donation of the Santa Spina.
Cloister of San Francesco 9.30 pm – Concert by the Corale Fortebraccio.
HISTORY
It was born in the early 1960s as a religious celebration. In the following years it developed to become a real challenge between the three districts of the country: Porta del Borgo, Porta del Monte and Porta del Verziere who face each other with twists and turns, for the race to the Palio and the coronation of their own Castellana. The districts acquire points by challenging themselves in the scenes of medieval life, real historical representations made by the neighborhoods in the suggestive corners of the village, narrating particularly notable facts of history, or even simply moments of daily life of the 1400s. These scenes of life are called by the Montonesi “Stornellate” in memory of when, in the past, the first scenes were sung to music, in the form of stornelli, precisely. The scenes of medieval life are judged by a jury of experts, who evaluate the historicity, the scenography and the interpretation.
The other competition that brings points for the victory of the Palio is the archery challenge: over the years in Montone a real tradition of shooters has been created, who train all year round and compete for the feast of the Santa Spina, but also throughout Italy during the various historical arch competitions. The sum of the scores achieved in the life scenes and in archery allow you to win the Palio and elect the first lady of the district as Castellana, Margherita Malatesta, wife of Carlo Fortebracci. The scores remain secret until Saturday evening, when in the town square, in an atmosphere steeped in tension and competition, the winner district is proclaimed.
During the week, even the little ones compete with each other in popular games, between laughter and lots of fun. Finally, on the last Sunday of the festival, the town square becomes a real time machine. Here, in fact, you can admire the historical parade, in which the wonderful costumes of each district, the Palio and Carlo together with Margherita are shown.
The direction is in the hands of the Council of the Pro Loco Montonesewith the contribution of the municipal administration, but the event engages and brings together all citizens in a work that lasts a whole year: young and old carry on a constant research that represents a very precious aggregative value and transmission of culture and traditions.
