An entire city celebrates the 700 years from its 'Costituto' from September 2009 to May 2010. The programme of the "La Città del Sì" - a periphrasis of a famous sentence by Dante Alighieri - includes reviews, exhibitions, shows, conventions.
A real and true festival dedicated to that very modern 14th century with appointments for tourists and events taking place every weekend (from Friday to Sunday) involving all the Sienese called to show their pride for being inheritors of that Republic which, in 1309, drew up one of the most beautiful pages in the history of European civilisation. Because in Siena, the Middle Ages were never Dark but shone with a splendour which still shines today all over the city.
Entertainment
The vigil for the 'Costituto' is the show-event which, in the scenery of Piazza del Campo, a square unique in the world, starts off the celebrations of the 'Costituto' of Siena. This is then followed by a dance show, a journey in the body and soul of the pilgrims along the Via Francigena. From October to December, plays will be focused on the important figures of the Middle Ages, first amongst all is St. Catherine of Siena, then Joan of Arc, followed by imaginary characters with a musical dedicated to 'Robin Hood' arriving at "Polvere di Bagdad" (Baghdad dust) a play set in the Baghdad of our days, where among the violence and atrocities of war, some characters recuperate the "dust" of that extraordinary culture through narration, music, poetry.
Art
Apart from the great art exhibitions, which, as in every year, characterize Siena, the exhibition dedicated to the historic flags of the Contrade of the Stibbert collection, recently restored, and to the Triumphal Chariots of the Historic Pageant of the Palio, make it possible to relive the emotions which have, in the centuries, accompanied the city with its Festival which has roots in the Middle Ages and in the military companies.
Music
The music of the Middle Ages is present with events which reveal lesser-known scores and re-propose some artistic strong points arriving at the present performances and contaminations of Medieval melodies and lyrics. With the intertwining of troubadour poetry and songs in Latin, Provençal, Spanish, Arabic, unusual and original instruments introduce us to the music which was played and sung on the routes of Santiago and Francigena.
Market
As in every large city during the Middle Ages, even in Siena markets and the exchange of goods flourished. Siena was amongst the most important commercial centre in Europe. In order to recall the flourishing of the exchanges, there are to be two extraordinary editions of medieval markets held in Piazza Il Campo (in November and March) as used to happen in those days.
Taste
The city restaurants displaying "La Città del Sì" stickers are the protagonists of a wine-and-food circuit to discover the dishes and typical products of Siena as well as a sampling of medieval cuisine. Siena has a very rich food-and-wine resource which include six of the most important Docg wines in Italy, the famous breed of swine of medieval origins called "Cinta Senese", the cattle of the Chianina breed and many other products. Also available is the "Carta dei dolci della Città del Sì" with the famous sweets of Sienese tradition and of medieval origins such as the "panforte", "ricciarelli" and others.
For further information:
URP (Public Relations Office) - Siena Town Hall
ph.: +39 0577292340 - 292230 (mondays to fridays 9-12.30 - tuesdays and thursdays 3-4.30)
e-mail: urp@comune.siena.it
web: lacittadelsi.comune.siena.it
