The Festival of Peace – 2016A clown’s story from the ‘Bayko Baron’

• The annual procession moves up the Strada

• At its head the redeemed Magdalena is adored

• Behind her the rival caballeros jostle for position

• Outside the Duomo Cardinal Strozzi waits to welcome her home for another year

• On his left Bishop Alto, on his right Arnolfo Carpi, the current town ‘Capitano’

• Across the piazza Don Schifti and Don Dodjee smoulder under the mockery of Carpi’s fool, Boffo!

• With the parade over the festivities can begin

• Don Carpi’s cannon roars to celebrate the victory of his caballeros

• While Don Schifti’s pop-gun can hardly be heard

• And Don Dodjee’s show-stealer turns out to be a totally damp squib

After the noble metal-bashing it’s time for the lesser warriors to test their skills

• As always, it’s ‘Dead Eye’ Rizzi for House Carpi that takes the prize

Guess who wins the ‘Bolt from the Blue’ contest too!

• House Carpi who also get to loose first in the archery

• Don Arnolfo and his Signora consult with Boffo about what final jest to send across the piazza

At which point the men of House Schifti and House Dodjee give a little display of marksmanship of their own!

• Which makes a few adjustments necessary - ransom for the Carpi caballeros, a new ‘Capitano’ for next year.

• And for Boffo….? It seems Signora Schifti has no sense of humour at all!

• And so the choir’s ‘Pax Vobiscum’ rises over the city to celebrate yet another Festival of Peace