Back in Cortona
Our group drifted in over the next day or two, and each night before the workshop officially began, we headed up to enjoy the Medieval festivities. The town takes this very seriously. The dress, as I mentioned before, is very elaborate. People play their parts well, and cue each other in.
Even with that, modern life goes on. Here, a man is intent on checking his iPhone.
Each day, the festival started in the afternoon and went until well after dark. Some nights, there were torches lighting the piazza. The last night, there were blazing floodlights.
Probably a good thing, since some of the demonstrations involved sword fights or bludgeons, and probably best to see clearly in those situations, since it was only acting, albeit very enthusiastic acting, complete with grunts.
While we mostly photographed the pageant, there were always doorways and alleyways that beckoned. When I saw this scene, I immediately thought of a black-and-white photograph.
In one of the steep side streets, this “noble” couple prepared to descend into the piazza in all their finery.
The flags are so much a part of this pageant, just as in the movie, “Under the Tuscan Sun.” Colorful, they were twirled, thrown high into the air, juggled, and handled with various degrees of expertise. This was one of the better performers.
There was a grand contest with crossbows. It was for me impossible to photograph, as the “second” was always in the way of the shooter. Also, trying to get the bow as it left its seat was challenging in itself. It was one of those experiences that was probably better savored rather than recorded in pixels anyway.
The pageant ended, and the performers went this way and that. Arnie and I showed our participants places that might make good images … when we could find the others, that is. Tough to do with all the enthusiastic throngs, both players and visitors.
One of my favorite stairways produced this view. I waited until a couple was isolated in the frame. They were the only ones. The others were too modern, too congested, too something or other.
As the crowds thinned out, I was able to capture a detail of a beautiful dress. The fabrics were gorgeous, and as one who used to make all her own clothes, I appreciated the handwork that went into the making of the garments.
And one does not come to Italy without savoring the food and wine. We had a beautiful, velvety Brunello, THE wine of these parts, and a couple in our group had a traditional dessert surrounded by decadent chocolate (is there any other kind?). Called a fagottino di frutta con cioccolata, it was fabuloso.
It was a great way to end the day, and we wended our way back down the switch-backs from Cortona to Borgo il Melone five or so minutes away.
We always love to get comments.
We also hope you will LIKE this blog (just above the blog title above) and SHARE it (below) with those interested in photography and travel along with the following: