Palio

Ferrara has a medieval festival called palio where eight neighborhoods compete against each other in such events as flag throwing, horse racing, donkey racing, and people racing. I saw the flag throwing event yesterday. Here are some pictures. When I get back you should ask me about the intense rivalries between the teams (contrade).

Gloating over the second place team

This is the second place team. This guy is looking at the guy from the previous picture. Note the guy in the background giving the finger to the San Giacomo contrada. San Giacomo is the Yankees of the palio.

This is italian masculinity, ferrara style

This guy is supposedly the best flag thrower in the world. He can do five flags at once.

They can hold and throw the flags with their legs.