Joust of the Ventimiglias

Property included in the Register of Intangible Heritage of Sicily (REIS)

The festival includes processions in period costumes (XNUMXth century) preceded by flag-wavers, medieval animation in the suggestive points of the town of Geraci, as well as in other municipalities interested in the event with minstrels, jesters etc. To these are added theatrical representations of the life and the most significant events of the great epic of the Ventimiglias linked to the history of the Kingdom of Sicily, such as the serenade in Costanza, the marriage between the Countess of Modica and the Count of Geraci, the investiture of Serlone. XNUMXst Earl of Geraci and the proclamation of Geraci as County Capital. The actual joust is preceded by the presentation of the Knights to the Mayors and the County Authorities, followed by the solemn Mass, the parade and medieval games of the fourteenth century at the Campo della SS.Trinità ". Everything hinges on the rediscovery of medieval times in these Centers which still preserve intact the characteristics and the urban layout, on the reconstruction of the environments and the display of typical products in "Medieval Tents". (Text source: REI Sheet - Sicily Region)

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Technical sheet prepared by: Region of Sicily - Department of cultural heritage and Sicilian identity - CRicd: Regional center for inventory, cataloging and documentation and Sicilian regional film library

Intangible Heritage Register

Approval date: 08-05-2006

Chronological News

The exponents of this family arrived in Sicily in the thirteenth century and settled in the Madonie, following the marriage contracted by Arrigo or Enrico Ventimiglia with the Norman Isabella, countess of Geraci. Soon, the Ventimiglia family achieved great prestige and the members of the family held numerous important positions: Presidents of the Kingdom, Viceroys, Admirals, Governors, as well as establishing kinship relationships with various royal families. They greatly influenced the political decisions of the Kingdom, to the point of attracting the envy of numerous rival families, first of all that of the Palizzi. Numerous, therefore, were the maneuvers concocted against them and the infamous accusations, such as that of understanding with the Angevin enemy, addressed to Francesco I Ventimiglia, in the fourteenth century. In 1440, Giovanni I Ventimiglia obtained the title of Marquis of Geraci (the first marquisate of Sicily) while in 1595 Giovanni III Ventimiglia was awarded the title of Prince of Castelbuono. To remember this noble and powerful family and to revive and learn about significant historical moments of our past, up to a few years ago, two distinct events were organized in the two towns that were the headquarters of the Ventimiglia court: the Giostra dei Ventimiglia in Geraci Siculo And the Aruccata of li Vintimiglia in Castelbuono.

Date: 4-5-6 August

Occasion: "County of Ventimiglia" project, within the event "Madonie noble and peasant traditions"

Actors: Actors in period costumes

Participants: Local community

Description

The festival includes processions in period costumes (XNUMXth century) preceded by flag-wavers, medieval animation in the suggestive points of the town of Geraci, as well as in other municipalities interested in the event with minstrels, jesters etc. To these are added theatrical representations of the life and the most significant events of the great epic of the Ventimiglias linked to the history of the Kingdom of Sicily, such as the serenade in Costanza, the marriage between the Countess of Modica and the Count of Geraci, the investiture of Serlone. XNUMXst Earl of Geraci and the proclamation of Geraci as the county capital. The actual joust is preceded by the presentation of the Knights to the Mayors and the County Authorities, followed by the solemn Mass, the parade and medieval games of the fourteenth century at the Campo della SS.Trinità ". Everything hinges on the rediscovery of medieval times in these Centers which still retain intact the characteristics and the urban layout, on the reconstruction of the environments and the display of typical products in "Medieval Tents".

Author Profile: Laura Mattaliano

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44 Via Nazionale, Geraci Siculo, PA , Sicily

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