Palio 2007 - Interview with Vainer Merighi (Pres. Board of the City of Ferrara Palio)
Posted by Daniela Frondiani
Thursday, February 1, 2007 we met the President, Dr. Vainer Merighi, at Palio's premises in the Town of Ferrara.
Before beginning our discussion about the Palio, the coordinators of our site, Gian Luca Gherardi and Massimo Balestra, presented "Gleanings" and have, above all, demonstrates the primary objective: to talk about things that are obvious to see that , and give expression to tell. Have also argued, as the dialectic and comparison are essential, but more important is the "how", because everything can be discussed, provided that there is less respect for people and not going to affect their dignity. The pages are a space available for the free expression of opinion, which may arise against references and opposites, but always expressed in "due ways" and always supported by the culture, not affecting the controversy's sake.
Our conversation, for which I thank the President, took place in a completely informal and began with a statement states:
"I think the things I say." Proceed, then. How were the first months of the Presidency of The Palio, above all, as has been the impact of the Palio with the world? It is a reality that already knew or was it a discovery? I do not mean as an abstract entity, but because it made real by the people of the Palio and the big ones that really are the land as large groups of young people or trans-generational, in short, a particular world.
"I was councilor in the town of Ferrara and I had several opportunities to confront the body Palio, especially, for the preparation of the square Ariostea, for the conduct of races, and with the districts, because before I was even nell'incarico Councillor Heritage Municipality of Ferrara and, therefore, we are committed to the search of premises of the Contrada.
continues: "I have to honestly say that I had, indeed, a partial knowledge of all that is the Palio as such, but especially the Contrada. Thus, the richness in human terms of this great association that is organized in the territory and, for me, it was a very important discovery that has prompted me to move forward, to think of an innovation project, because I realized that behind c ' availability is so unselfish, so willing to do, but also a lot of ability. I found the boys and girls with wonderful enthusiasm, but also with competence and, therefore, This is an important fact. "
adds, "if we can somehow make it clear to the city, taken together, the Palio is not just the race in May or only the events of May. Beautiful and important, but not all, if we can make the Palio and Contrada to be a bit 'less self-referential, but its assets are acquired as the city, then this would be a significant step forward ... I repeat, I discovered with great pleasure that there is a potential, perhaps unexpressed, that needs to explode. My task in the coming years will be this: if I can make it explode, it will be an important result, really. "
Ours is a Palio that lasts a year and lives. The people we work 365 days a year, but perhaps too-often-you may not recognize it, because the events are the culmination of May, despite its implementation means a full year of operation. I refer in particular to the relationship with the City that is too often seen as two distinct entities. How can one mediate between these two poles? How can you manage the communication on the Palio?
"We must, somehow, try to make the Palio and the initiatives of the Court and become Contrade heritage of the city and, therefore, accepted by citizens, economic operators, etc. ... 'is necessary, state, "that the Palio and its manifestations become an omen for something and, therefore, recognized that something. I have a training that, at times, may also appear materialistic, unfortunately, but the economy is often the spring that makes you accept, that makes you see differently. So, I believe that if the Palio becomes an encouragement, for example, to promote tourism in the city - of this wonderful city - and, therefore, a wonderful event, or a set of events, this can be a good way to be more accepted and "promotion" from the city. "A complex project and structured, no doubt," it is here that the My sensitivity deviates a bit 'materialism. I believe that we should not abandon the cultural project of the Palio, that is all that the Palio, the initiatives of the Court and represent Contrade from a cultural perspective. "We must always be mindful that the" Palio of Ferrara is the Palio di Siena, which is the representation of a battle, a war. The Palio of Ferrara, not coincidentally, was also wanted by the Dukes as a moment of joy, carousels, etc. .., then the difference is very great. The Palio of Ferrara is closely related to the Renaissance. Therefore, we, cultural study certain aspects of life of the Renaissance and representing them - almost with a philological reading - the city of today, we can not lose the cultural level of representation and material that corresponds to the requirement is to ensure that this instrument - the Palio - becomes an encouragement of tourism, therefore, economically for the city '.
becomes a duty to make some choices, such as, "make racing Ariostea Square, and the latest manifestation, present as little risk as possible for people and animals. Of course, the risks can not be eliminated. However, since this is not a competition, not a war but a game, we must create the conditions for racing, but with the spirit of the game. E 'right to engage - as we are already doing - to adopt rules that are rules, "stringent", both for the organization structures, both as regards the choice of horses, both as regards the rules "antidopping" and so on , which put us in a position to run as best as possible. "
also "must ensure that our events - I mean the Oath, which is very suggestive, the parade, at the same Corsa del Palio - are, so to speak, designed so as not to lose their cultural value, their reference value, to be accepted a bit 'more by citizens as dynamic moments. There is a need to study these events in a new way in proposing a new way. In fact, we do good things, but we have an extremely long time, we have downtime, and now, the people that are used in the television spot is hard to accept these things. Then, you must pretend nothing happened? I think not, because if you also want to have a communicative about these things we have to study in a new way this time, not reducing, but not to make empty, to give greater continuity of sight, speech, why are more accepted by nationals. "
insist upon this, we must" invent things new, that is, during the year - in addition to the work done by the Contrada, study, analysis, preparation - we offer are the external manifestations, eg., the Homage to Duke, which take place from March to the end April, and then return to the same formula in the fall. It 'also possible to study new things, I said, and here is another moment of engagement with the city, deepening of the themes along with some cultural institutions Ferrara - so alone - to offer new things, maybe you do, be represented in containers cultural: Castello Estense, Palazzo dei Diamanti and Palazzo Schifanoia, why not, Estes Delights. " This
point seems especially important. What are the issues on which there is a need for research and, perhaps, greater specialization up to involve the cultural institutions Ferrara? "For example, the music of the Renaissance, theater - capturing moments - the dancing, the feast of the Court, or even very important issues, sometimes overlooked, that when treated in a certain way can be an important cultural food for the journey, but also interesting from the point of view of representation. Just think of how the processes were carried out once: Hugh and Parisina were convicted, but as they have tried? They had a chance to defend themselves? Then, with the collaboration of Renaissance Studies, tackle matters of this nature and to avoid somebody, "with the stench in the nose," I think what he says is a culture of A-series, and perhaps never has an external-feedback and what we do We set the culture of B. The meeting with various cultural institutions can bring to the meeting to encourage, however, feel that the Palio is more, it can offer large and culturally. In this way, perhaps, it is even accepted by the city, from the total population. I believe therefore that we work in that direction. "
ask: What can cause this? 'Involve capacity proposal / s, planning and coherent approach, but also in achieving the objectives. From this year we have to think about what we do in 2008/2009, because the cultural insights that have been spoken and can not be invented, to make them really take time. However, if you acquire these three elements - proposals, scheduling, ability to match the goals - I'm convinced that one can also find new resources. This is another topic to be addressed, which then goes full circle with respect to interests: in fact, they are willing to invest if they have a return. "
on entering the" Ad example, if I have a project that is shared, I can probably also find private sources and not basarmi only on public resources which are many - that, at least in recent years have been considerable and have allowed us to get this far here - but not enough. As the public finance does not have a good time, perhaps we should also find alternative sources of funding. And I think this might be the route. If we do not address this argument, we run the risk, not exhausting, but to consume our proactive approach and, therefore, brought against the city. It 'clear that in a time of declining resources, if we do not strive to find additional resources, we can not think of anything more, but something less. "
Staying on the theme of perspective and as he spoke of renewal: what will change for 2007 and how will the Palio Palio 2007?
I take in his voice a slight tone of regret: "Unfortunately, we had little time because we were very involved in the formulation of new rules. It will change anyway so hearty and substantial for all the regulations concerning the establishment of Ariostea Square, the choice of horses, how to treat them during the race. So, that first goal that I laid at the beginning of my argument, we are already achieving with 2007. "
stress: how do you, personally, the Palio 2007?
Smiling, "Not yet optimal as regards the operation of its time. The dead, for now, you can not program it. But I see it done in the way it was said before, with a competition, but with a joyful character and the character of a war, made out of the stadium. This is already a major cultural event. And I also say about it, I was impressed by the commitment of Contrade that, immediately after the events of May 28, 2006, just a few days later, they stopped the rivalry and have started working together to try to build these new rules. They have created a favorable climate for this purpose. "
Ariostea Square, finally, not just the horse race and ol'agonismo, however, the Palio as a whole. It 's a cultural event. It 'a show, a historical re-enactment. Deems it appropriate and even positive stress this aspect?
The tone is reassuring: "This year we will bring out this aspect and to make sense with the new rules, while in the next few years - 2008/2009 - I think we should give even more in that direction: by renewing / reviewing the event, but without detracting from the historical-cultural Palio. "
leaves us with the promise to return to "disturb" even further. We intend to follow the evolution of this event and we ask again: What are you doing? At what point now is the project of cultural development? And we have many other questions that will mature over time.
Vainer Merighi responds, simply and cordially, "I'm here."
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