Toscana & Chianti News

ATMOSPHERE AND MYSTERY

Dreamlike atmospheres and characters from bygone eras lurk in every corner, just like in Venice, but there's no lagoon to be found.

This is Borgo San Lorenzo, in the midst of the Mugello area, a town that plays down the beauty and loveliness of its historical centre.

And yet, a series of charming little streets and squares branch out from Piazza Cavour, surrounded by what remains of the old city walls, overshadowed by the stunning clock tower.

If you've been to Borgo San Lorenzo, it's a given that you've walked along Via Mazzini (the locals call it "Malacoda"), a busy shopping paradise, as well as Via San Martino, Via San Francesco, Via Cocchi, Piazzetta Romagnoli, Via del Canto and Castelvecchio.

The first time you walk these streets, you're amazed by their beauty, whereas you'll see them in a different light if you've been there before.

This year, the event will take place from 9 pm onwards on 16th February.

This is because Borgo San Lorenzo shakes off its identity as a shopping and business town for Berlingaccio, the "Fat Thursday" of the Carnival period, transforming itself into a little Venice for "Atmosphere and Mystery on a Carnival night".

The main theme, "Synergies", is a call to seek united spiritual and concrete aims to influence life and not the other way around. 

Ladies-in-waiting and knights can be found in ten places: in the privacy of the bedroom, at the dinner with the tables laid for a sumptuous feast, in the parlour with the musicians and fops, during heroic feats and where strength and energy reign supreme. 

Even the shop windows will be brought to life by characters in eighteenth-century costume.It’s a real performance with staging based on mime, evocative music, lighting and wonderful costumes. A hundred players will take part in this outdoor show.

This wonderful show was thought up and managed by two leading artists who live and work in the Mugello area: Vieri and Patrizia Chini of Teatro Idea, based in Borgo San Lorenzo, with the backing of the town council.

There will be about 100 players (there were 400 at the last event), all of whom are volunteers who will meet up a few hours before so that everything is perfect down to the last detail.

Many of them have made their own costumes, whereas others come straight from the Teatro Idea theatre company. There's also the scenery and music to think about and this all stems from Vieri and Patrizia's expert guidance. 

If you'd like to take part and be part of this magical event, check out www.comune.borgo-san-lorenzo.fi.it or phone 055 849661.