Piero Magi tried to tell those who are not of Siena cos 'is the Palio di Siena. And he did it with ease, elegance, style and a touch of irony of their great journalist. In the absence of Siena did so in his book The Palio inside and out, through a series of interviews, were the Siena Palio themselves to tell the Italians: the archbishop by the mayor, officials of the famous Monte dei Paschi bank the simple Contrada. With their assistance, the Magi must analyze the various moments of the festival and the various figures who are its protagonists. Attempts to explain the inexplicable rules of life of the district and are not easy symbols connected to the event, without forgetting to make a reference to the historical roots of the latter. Also devotes two chapters to the relationship of the Palio with the media and a future more and more modernized, with whom he seems to oppose. I also make a thorough look at the city of Siena, the seventeen districts in which it is separated and its inhabitants. The test is recommended for those who, curious, want to know the great Sienese festival or want to deepen and the few who have no clear notions about it, but do not expect to go into detail (for a full immersion in the topic can be found in texts more details). But it is also recommended to those who have a distorted idea of \u200b\u200bthe festival and who wonder what sense its existence in the Third Millennium. Books like this are in fact necessary because in Italy there is too little information (and a lot of misinformation) and that the Palio is not good. Why Siena, always first in the rankings on the quality of life, has much to teach Italians in terms of civilization and it does so through the Palio. Because the Palio is a symbol of the beautiful country, something to be proud of as it is considered the most beautiful historic event in the world. The founder of Futurism, Filippo Tommaso Marinetti said that " the Palio is a handful of diamond stretch against any enemy of Italy" and if he said one reason he had to be ... As well as Piero Magi argues in his book, could not exist without the Siena Palio because it reflects its essence. Therefore, the Palio would deny deny the city itself, a gem of an Italy of the most precious immortality splendor. So if you think that the Palio is only a short, wild horse race held twice a year, if you think that the Palio is just an unnecessary re-enactment of the Middle Ages, if you think that the Sienese are a nation of fools inexplicably linked to a past that in their city seems to be getting this, know that you think incorrectly. Terribly wrong. And you would do well to read books like The Palio inside and out. Then, perhaps, will seem like madness make sense. A wonderful way that you may be perfectly suited. Among the many people who like the Palio and the many who ignore us are also those who hate him. Among the latter there are definitely animals, without deigning to raise a minimum of information about it, argue heatedly a series of hallucinatory absurdity (such as, for example, compare the Palio the barbaric bullfighting, nothing more absurd!). Magi, in his book, has an answer for them. I, in my small way, I answer them with a statement of the journalist Fallaci Paola (sister of more famous Oriana): "after having been to Siena to see if they are cruel to animals, I decided to revive horse ... But yes , mares should be reborn. I say 'horse' because the males are geldings, is the only work that make him uncomfortable ".
Piero Magi (pictured right) , born in Arezzo, 13 September 1922, began his career as a journalist in 1955 in his hometown. For twenty years she has traveled the world as "special envoy" of the newspaper La Nazione writing articles about politics, current affairs and social issues. From 1981 to 1985 he was appointed editor of The Nation , after being the first Chief Editor and then Deputy Director. A prolific writer, has published several books on social behavior and pageants. It has always been interested in enhancing his Tuscany aspects also unknown. Since 1990 he has been director of the monthly Here Tuscany while continuing to work with The Nation through a daily column of letters called The Lounge Piero Magi and Sunday Italian mirror. He died the night of Monday, September 29, 2003, aged 81, at her home in Florence . RATING: 4 / 5
Title : The Palio in and out
Author: Piero Magi
Publisher: Bonechi ( series Life and Costume - The talk in the series)
Year: 1996
