Flag throwing

In many Italian towns there are anniversaries of historical (especially medieval) events with costume parades and flag throwing. Most Italian towns were founded many centuries ago, therefore everywhere there is a battle or another historical event to celebrate. In the last years there is a renewed interest for this kind of celebrations, often for touristy purposes; many of them are called "Palio", the same name of the famous "Palio di Siena". There are also rentable flag throwing groups in costume. If you search Internet for "sbandieratori" you can find some of them, e.g.

• Gubbio, a town in the centre of Italy
• Alba (Piemonte)
• Asti (Piemonte)

Giuseppe Bottasini 4 June 1996

---

I have witnessed a couple of these events. There are at least two "tossers". One throws the flag, which is attached to a pole weighted at the base to offset the weight of the flag. The other catches it, or one individual will toss it into the air sometimes making the entire flag & pole twirl in the air and catch it himself. As far as I know, the contest is for most elaborate tossing (flips, twirls etc.)