2011 Agosto Montefalchese (Montefalco's August)

The "Rail of Umbria", Montefalco, near Perugia, is preparing to host the Agosto Montefalchese ( Montefalco's August), this year from 6th to 21st August 2011. The event is based on the evocation of the Renaissance history of the town, where the 4 rioni, districts (St. Augustine, St. Bartholomew, St. Francis and San Fortunato) will compete in 4 races to win the "Falco d'Oro" ("Hawk's Gold") and the "Palio del Toro" ("Palio of the Bull").

From the 6th the taverns will be open, only for dinner and one for the ward. The menus are different from each other, but all require, of course, Montefalco Rosso and Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG.

On 7th is planned the concert by Luca Barbarossa. With free admission from 21:30 at the square Piazza del Comune (formerly called "Square of the Knights" or "Field of Certame").

On the occasion of the 150th Anniversary of the Unification of Italy, the event will dedicate two appointments: the first will be Aug. 10Th with an evening called "Calici di Stelle ("Goblets of Stars"). During the beautiful night of San Lorenzo you can taste the wines DOC and D.O.C.G. Montefalco, recommended by expert sommeliers; the second will be on August 20th with the concert "L'Italia Chiamò" ("The Italy called") by the Belfiore Philharmonic.

But the real start of the Agosto Montefalchese is on the 12th August, when arrives the various challenges.
The 12th it's time to "Giochi di bandiere e ritmi di tamburi" (Flags' games and rhythms of drums), with flag bearers and drummers of Montefalco, also known outside their borders, which will compete for the "Falco d'Oro" ("Golden Hawk"). The 13th will be dedicated to "Rosso come l'Ira, Giallo come la Gelosia, Verde come la Follia, Blu come l'Armonia" ("Red like the Anger, Yellows like the Jealousy, Green as the Madness, Blue like the Harmony"): a procession of over 300 historical figures that enact, at the Town Hall Square, life reality situations of the early Renaissance. Each year the theme is different, and the square becomes an open-air theater. On 14th there will be two beards instead. Il Tiro alla Balestra, where the crossbowmen must hit a target, which is a reproduction of a bull's head. The second will be a foot race, a relay race, called la Corsa dei Quartieri.

The reenactment ends Aug. 19 with "The Running of the Oxen", which shows an ancient tradition of the town: the "Escape of the Oxen". Each district is assigned to train a bull and treat throughout the winter, so make him ready for the evening of the race. The Palio del Toro (Palio of the Bull) will be assigned to the district most courageous (and fast).
History, gastronomy, theater and music: This is the Montefalco August!

Following, the complete program of the 2011 Agosto Montefalchese: 2011 Agosto Montefalchese Program (pdf 2,6 MB).

Web Site: promontefalco.com