May 1 Pzz. Signoria Flag Throwing Competition

May 1, 2017 will be the 23rd time that the best flag-throwing teams (sbandieratori) of Italy will be competing with great artistic flair in Florence’s Piazza della Signoria. The prize will be the Marzocco Trophy, commemorating the symbol of power (Marzocco, depicted in art and sculpture by a lion), of the Florentine Republic.

Based on time-honored military signaling by throwing a sequence of flags into the air in synchronized movements, the annual contest highlights this colorful medieval and Renaissance tradition kept alive today by groups of dedicated practitioners.

The afternoon’s events start at 2:30 pm, when the participating flag-throwing teams depart from Palagio di Parte Guelfa with a colorful procession. The groups arrive in Piazza della Signoria at 3 pm.  The start of the flag-throwing shows is 3:40 pm and the competition ends at 5:15 pm with the official award ceremony, followed by the return of the parade to the sound of drums at the starting point, Palagio di Parte Guelfa (between Piazza della Repubblica and Ponte Vecchio).

The Florentine flag-throwers’ costume is based on the original, 17th century attire and team displays are always accompanied by vivid and rhythmic live music, and colorful banners.

This year, companies from three Italian regions — Tuscany (Bandierai degli Uffizi, Florence) and (Sbandieratori e Musici Città di Lucca); Umbria (Sbandieratori e Musici Città di Giove), and Le Marche (Sbandieratori e Musici del palio dei Terzieri di Montecassiano) — are competing for a number of prizes.

The Trofeo Marzocco awards are given in the following categories: the best individual performance (including first, second and third place); the best small group performance; the best large group performance; and the best musicians.