War of Love.

In San Gimignanao’s Harvest Festival, one of the favorite events is “The War of Love”. The entire weekend tells a story. The program (you get with the paid admission for the weekend) tells the folklore of the love story between the local men and women, and the quest for the golden sword. After the parade of characters enter the piazza the story unfolds…it starts with the “storming of the palace”, then the fighting for the “lady”, followed by many competitions I have already posted about to “entice” the opposite sex.

Once the events are drawing to close (except the final horse ride for the sword) the gallant men and lovely ladies “fight” by using soft red and white balls. then, the real fun begins as the audience is invited to fight! The balls are made of what I think are nylons (panty hose for us Southerns) filled with soft material and tied at the end. You grab a ball and start pelting complete strangers. I know it sounds crazy, but it is a blast. I hit a costumed character and knocked his hat off (it was an accident I promise)..well, he grabbed 3 of his friends and about killed me!!! I laughed so hard I had to sit down and rest.

The kids love it but the adults have the most fun…rarely do we get to go around pelting people! Afterwards, the balls can be found all around the city-I fell sorry for the clean up crew, and every once in awhile someone takes one out of nowhere long after the “War of Love” is over and throws it at you!