Words by Pat Eggleton
If you are going to be in the Abruzzo region at the end of August and beginning of September, you will have the chance to see a very special event in Lanciano [Chieti Province].
From Sunday 29th August to Sunday 5th September the historic centre of the town will celebrate the medieval period when fairs were the hub of commerce and the centre of culture for many cities.
Lanciano, because of its geographical position at the junctures of important north to south and east to west sheep tracks, drew thousands of merchants from all over the then known world to its fairs. So important were its fairs to its economy that the town’s rulers sent out escorts to ensure visitors’ safe travel to and from these events.
The Mastrogiurato, a political and judicial official whose post was created by Charles II of Anjou in 1304, was essential to the smooth running of the fairs. He was granted full judicial powers for the whole period of a fair and he had to rule upon and administer justice. Among his duties were to declare the fair open, welcome important visitors, check and control weights and measures and settle disputes between merchants.
Every year since 1981 the Associazione Culturale Il Mastrogiurato has organised a reenactment of the medieval fair and the investiture of its chosen Mastrogiurato in Lanciato.
The festival enjoys the support of the Abruzzo region, the Ministry of Culture and the Italian Senate.
From 29th August till 4th September there will be markets, taverns, concerts of medieval music, plays, street theatre, jugglers, knights, fighters, dancers, flag-waving groups and falconry displays in the four districts that make up the historic town centre.
There will also be medieval suppers called “panarde”. An Abruzzese tradition, a panarda consists of at least forty dishes, so it can last all night. The panarda is said to have originated when a mother who had gone to fetch water returned home to find her baby in the mouth of a wolf. She prayed to St Anthony Abate and the wolf let the child go. To show her gratitude, the woman prepared a panarda for the saint and the people of Abruzzo have been holding panarde ever since.
The climax of the week’s events takes place on Sunday 5th September with a medieval pageant in which over 400 people are expected to take part and the investiture of the Mastrogiurato. This year Gabriele Ranieri, an official with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation in Rome, has been chosen as Mastrogiurato.
Mr Ranieri, who has abruzzese roots, says he will be delighted to wear the symbolic robes and is very happy to be honoured in this way by his own city. He sees parallels, too, in his own work for the UN and the ancient Mastrogiurato’s duty to ensure peace during the fair.
There is certainly an enjoyable week in store for everybody at Lanciano.
Il Mastrogiurato is at Lanciano [Chieti, Abruzzo] from 29th August – 5th September 2010.
