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August 2018 Palio...
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August 2018 Palio di Siena... |
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Siena’s roots are so firmly cemented in its glorious past that, unlike other medieval cities, it doesn’t celebrate its traditions by simply putting in act some kind of annual event. The Palio isn’t just any tournament organized to attract tourists but represents the expression of its inspired history that has come to us through the centuries: intact. In any other place, once celebrations are over, its inhabitants regain their roles and return to their every day lives, the Siennese don’t, they tirelessly continue participating in their Contrada activities, carrying forward the crucial social function they hold within the society. In my modest opinion that’s one of the reasons that makes the Palio so unique. |
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Roy Moskovitz was probably one of the few outsiders that understood that Siena is basically a complex and indivisible trinity made out of the Palio, the Contrade and the city itself. He appreciated its mechanisms and its cyclicity, so much that his tie with this amazing city became eternally bonded the moment he decided to be baptized into my Contrada. Among his many pearls of wisdom, Roy often used to point out that when two “Senesi” talked Palio, be prepared to hear at least three if not four contrasting opinions. Until he lived, he became a non official city ambassador taking time to explain how the Palio was just the pinnacle of the Contrada year and, what for the profaners was a ruthless free for all race, was actually a convoluted game with strict rules, protocols and rigorous behavior codes. |
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The short newsletters I periodically send will never be able make it justice even because each Palio is a story of its own with a prologue, an opening, a usually unexpected turn of events, an ending and more than one epilogue. That’s why I usually limit them to posting a video of the race and write a very basic description of what happened during the fours days that lead to the main event summing up a short chronicle of the three break-necking laps. If I started entering too many details, the newsletter would risk ending up turning into a long-winded inscrutable boggling report.
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So here goes. Lupa, (She-Wolf) triumphed with the horse that had won the August 2017 Palio on Onda (Wave). It was their third Palio victory in three years (!) the jockey Gingillo’s third too, ending a personal nine year dry spell that had started after his 2009 victory with the Tartuca (Turtle). He had obtained his other victory in 2008 riding for my Bruco Contrada (Caterpillar). Lupa won starting as rincorsa (number ten on the lineup) and believe me it’s almost as rare as winning with a riderless horse. What can I say? Chapeau! |
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Yes, Bruco has hired a full-time jockey and is the only Contrada in Siena that actually has one. No, he didn’t race for us...he raced for Drago. Don’t ask me why, don’t even try to, I would provide you with maybe four if not five opinions. The jockey we chartered did what he could ending his race after having crashed on the tufo and transported to hospital with a few minor fractures. It’s been now ten years that we haven’t brought a new “cencio” in our HQ’s in Via del Comune. A bit too long for my liking. Maybe next July...Vedremo.
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A funny curiosity...the Palio banner that we call cencio (above) was considered being so ugly that even the Bishop refused to bless it! |
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For those of you that are eagerly looking forward ordering the 2018 Extra Virgin Olive Oil I have finally found a more efficient courier and can now guarantee super fast deliver (5 days tops). It will be pressed in October/November and of course once we approach the date, I will be sending a newsletter with details... |
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If you've reached this point, it means that you are actually one of the few that goes through my entire newsletter...thanks! |
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