The “Bravìo delle Botti” is back

The “Magistrato delle Contrade”, together with the “Comune di Montepulciano”, developed the program of the Bravìo delle Botti 2021 which also includes the barrels’ race.

The news comes after a meeting that the Mayor of Montepulciano, Michele Angiolini, and the Reggitore del Magistrato delle Contrade, Andrea Biagianti, had with the Prefect of Siena, Dr. Maria Forte, the Quaestor of Siena, Dr. Costantino Capuano, the ASL Toscana Sudest Director, Simona Dei, and the ASL Prevention Department Director, Maurizio Spagnesi. On the occasion, the Rettore del Magistrato delle Contrade and the Mayor presented the program draft and the security plans, including health provisions. The latter will be subsequently adjusted and updated in future meetings with the Prefettura of Siena according to the national health
regulations.

In the meanwhile, the Bravìo week takes shape and so does the barrel race that Montepulciano had to do without last year. Life in the districts will therefore resume: food administration will be carried out according to outdoor catering rules but parties won’t be allowed – following the most recent anti-covid regulations. Due to safety reasons, the Bravìo also gives up to its historical parades. Piazza Grande will therefore be the only setting for the Proclama del Gonfaloniere, the Presentazione del Panno and the Spettacolo dei Ceri, with limited access to the audience.

The barrel race will be carried out in the presence of a static audience: limited seats and access to Piazza Grande and large areas of the race route forbidden to the spectators who will only be allowed to stand in given controlled areas. Two nights of rehearsals for the barrel pushers have been inserted in the rich program of the week. The race will also be recorded and aired live on tv
and social media. Access to the events will be possible booking tickets on Billetto App – further details will be
available on our social media in the following weeks. Every spectator will be required to have a Green Pass.

The program of the week:

Saturday 21 August – Piazza Grande
9:00 pm | Proclama del Gonfaloniere
“Alchimie di fuoco” – Show by Piccolo Nuovo Teatro – Compagnia teatrale, Flag-wavers and
Drummers’ show by Gruppo Sbandieratori e Tamburini di Montepulciano
Districts are open for dinner

Sunday 22 August – Piazza Grande and Teatro Poliziano
11:00 am – Piazza Grande | Little-flag wavers and drummers’ show – Junior category
4:00 pm – Teatro Poliziano | Enogastronomic competition “A Tavola con il Nobile”
5:30 pm – Piazza Grande | Little-flag wavers and drummers’ show – Senior category
Districts are open for dinner

Monday 23 August – Old Town
8:30 pm – Barrel pushers training
Districts are open for dinner

Tuesday 24 August – Old Town
Districts are open for dinner

Wednesday 25 August – Old Town
8:30 pm – Barrel pushers training
Districts are open for dinner

Thursday 26 August – Piazza Grande
9:30 pm | Spettacolo dei Ceri
Presentation of the districts’ candles offered to St. John the Beheaded, Flag-wavers and Drummers’ show by Gruppo Sbandieratori e Tamburini di Montepulciano, Videomapping show by Simone Pucci with Davide Vannuccini’s music
Districts are open for dinner

Friday 27 August
Districts are open for dinner

Saturday 28 August
Districts are open for dinner

Sunday 29 August – Piazza Grande
Morning:
10:00 am | Drawing lots for the barrels’ race starting positions; symbolic “branding” of the barrels
10.30 am | Premio Trabalzini for best flag-wavers and drummers: flags and drums show by each
district’s quartet
12.00 pm | Presentation of the districts’ candles offered to St. John the Beheaded followed by the Solemn Mass.
Districts are open for lunch
Afternoon:
4:30 pm | Premio Trabalzini for best flag-wavers and drummers: flags and drums show by each
district’s quartet
6:00 pm | Bravìo delle Botti: barrels’ race by the eight districts’ barrel pushers
Districts are open for dinner

Thanks to Betto for art and graphics.