CALENDIMAGGIO ASSISI 2024
Assisi, 21 April – 11 May, 2024
The Calendimaggio of Assisi (sometimes also transcribed Kalendimaggio) is a festival that is celebrated every first Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday after May 1st of every year, to greet the arrival of spring. The two Parts into which the city is divided, the Nobilissima Parte de Sopra and the Magnifica Parte de Sotto, compete for the conquest of the palio, through the development of processions in medieval costumes (about 13th century – mid 15th century), scenes recitations of re-enactment of medieval life in the alleys of the city and musical performances: the winning Party is decided by a jury, made up of internationally renowned experts, that is, a historian, a musicologist and a personality from the world of entertainment.
During the days of Calendimaggio, through the alleys of Assisi, you can relive the atmosphere of the typical medieval festival, with songs, music and jousting; the festival has ancient origins, dating back to the ancient tradition of the Umbrian people to greet the arrival of spring.
In these days, the people of Assisi wear traditional medieval clothes and follow a series of initiatives, including the suggestive Palio del Calendimaggio.
…And Calendimaggio is coming
…E Vien Calendimaggio
Sunday 21 April
15:30
Piazza Santa Chiara
Selection competition between the Crossbowmen of the Parties
Monday 22 April
10:00 a.m.
Town Hall Square
Conciliation Hall
29th ‘Carlo Lampone’ Prize
Thursday 25 April
7:30 p.m.
Town Hall Square
Hall of the Vaults
Opening of the Calendimaggio Tavern
Saturday 27 April
12:00 p.m.
Piazza del Comune
Sala della Conciliazione
Presentation of the Jury “Edition 2024
Tuesday 30 April
4.00 p.m.
New Church Square
Presentation of Madonne Primavera*
Singing tribute by the “Cantori di Assisi” (Assisi Singers)
8:30 p.m.
Propiziatory dinners in the Rioni delle Parti districts
Wednesday 1 May
2:30 pm
Piazza Santa Chiara
Performance by the “Compagnia Balestrieri di Assisi” (Crossbowmen Company of Assisi)
5:00 p.m.
Show of the “Gruppo Sbandieratori di Assisi” (Assisi flag-wavers group)
Monday 6 May
9:30 p.m.
Vicoli Parte de Sotto
Open scenes in costume
Tuesday 7 May
9:30 pm
Alleys of Parte de Sopra
Open Scenes in Costume
*in case of bad weather, the presentation of the Madonne Primavera will take place in the Sala della Conciliazione of the Municipal Palace
CALENDIMAGGIO
FESTIVAL PROGRAM
Wednesday 8 May – “Delivery of the Keys”
3pm
Parte de Sotto – Blessing of the banners in the Upper Basilica of San Francesco
Part of Above – Blessing of the banners in the Cathedral of San Rufino
3.45pm
Sound of the Bell of Laudi
Piazza Santa Chiara
Departure of the Calendimaggio parade
4pm
Town Hall Square
Choir of the Parties – Performance of the Curfew Hymn
The Field Master assumes sovereign powers
Entrance of the processions. Return of the Palio.
Greetings from the President-Magistrate – Presentation of the Jurors.
Reading of the challenge notices
Exit of the processions along Corso Mazzini and Piazza Santa Chiara
9.30pm
Part of Below: Re-enactments of medieval life*
Thursday 9 May – “Madonna Primavera”
4pm
Town Hall Square
Sound of the Bell of Laudi
Entrance of the processions. Challenge games between the Parties:
Crossbowmen shooting competition, trege race, tug of war
for the proclamation of Madonna Primavera.
Madonna Primavera parade.
Exit of the processions along Corso Mazzini and Piazza Santa Chiara.
9.30pm
Part of Above: Re-enactments of medieval life*
Friday 10 May – “The Show”
3.30pm
Town Hall Square
Show by the Flag-waving Group of Assisi
Children's May Day
Evening Procession – “La Tenzone”
9.30pm
Sound of the Bell of Laudi
Entrance to the Evening Processions
Saturday 11 May – “The Challenge”
4pm
Town Hall Square
Sound of the Bell of Laudi
Entrance of the historical processions
Exit of the processions along Corso Mazzini and Piazza Santa Chiara
"The singing"
9.30pm
Sound of the Bell of Laudi
Singing challenge
Assignment of the Palio
* The event is screened in the Sala delle Volte (Taverna) and in the former Pinacoteca room.
Wednesday 8 May – “Delivery of the Keys
3 pm
Parte de Sotto – Blessing of the banners in the Upper Basilica of San Francesco
Parte de Sopra – Blessing of the banners in the Cathedral of San Rufino
3:45 p.m.
Ringing of the Bell of Lauds
Piazza Santa Chiara
4:00 p.m.
Departure of the Ente Calendimaggio parade
Town Hall Square
Choir of the Parties – Execution of the Curfew Hymn
The Master of the Field in