Florence’s flag-waving tradition is coming alive on Thursday night for the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the “Bandierai degli Uffizi” association.
A documentary on the history of the group will be screened at the Salone dei Cinquecento inside Florence’s Palazzo Vecchio (free entrance) at 9 pm; after the screening, the Bandierai will perform in Piazza della Signoria.
The Bandierai degli Uffizi is a historical group carrying the flags, emblems and historical costumes representing Florence's main Magistrature and Offices, the city’s administrative authorities of the powerful 16th century Florentine Republic. They are the only flag-waving group that officially represents Florence.
They keep alive the “Florentine Art of the Flag,” by re-enacting the waving of the flag typical of the Renaissance for military reasons, in a way that is both athletic and choreographic.
Every year i bandierai carry these flags in Florence’s traditional game, the Calcio Storico Fiorentino (Historic Florentine Soccer), the game that gave birth to the modern soccer game.
The Bandierai degli Uffizi often take part in important sporting and historical events in Italy and across the world. They have performed at several Columbus Day celebrations in the U.S., at the opening of the Olympic Games in Rome, at cultural events in Japan and Brazil.
They usually perform in Florence on city holidays, such as the Cavalcata dei Magi (January 6), Capodanno Fiorentino (March 25), Scoppio del Carro (Easter), Calcio Storico Fiorentino (June 24), Festa di Santa Reparata (October 8), and Christmas Gifts (December).
Don’t miss Thursday's anniversary event if you’re in or near Florence!
Watch a teaser of the documentary:
