Foligno (PG) - From June 1st to 15th Foligno will be throbbing with the many events organised for this year's edition of the Giostra della Quintana, culminating in the joust proper on June 16th at 9pm in the Marcello Formica e Paolo Giusti field.
On June 15th at 9pm in Piazza della Repubblica there will be the reading of the rules governing the joust, followed by the official blessing imparted to the knights. From 10pm onwards the streets of the old town centre will be a hive of activity, with each of the city's rioni districts organising entertainment and other activities.
Dubbed the "Olympics of riding competitions", Foligno's Quintana joust is unversally recognised as being one of the hardest events of its kind to be held throughout Italy. Each rider takes on a special name for the competition, according to which of the city's districts he is jousting for. The puppet known as the Quintana is placed at the centre of the field, holding in one arm the city's coat of arms and in the other outstretched arm a series of rings of various sizes, through which the riders must run their lance as they go around the pitch.
