Our country offers a great number of festivals and events, that repropose past historical occurrences. Among these, the "Feste Vigiliane" in Trento deserve a special mention.

This is a historical-folkloristic event that borrows the name of the Patron saint of the city, San Vigilio, and which recalls the city's traditions in the Renaissance era and that of the Council of Trento (1545-1563).

Dedicated to San Vigilio, patron of the city of Trento, the Vigilian Festivals represent the most important festive tradition of Trento city festivals, offering a large and inspiring representation of the reality of the 500's. The origin of the Festivals dates back to the XVI century, when the Bishop Principality of the Madruzzo played a central part in the historical and political vicissitudes of the Italian peninsula.

The entire city of Trento is involved in this festival, but the crucial points of the event are Piazza Duomo, where the costume challenge between "Ciusi e Gobj" takes place, fighting for the conquest of a polenta (thick maize porridge); the historical centre roads, in which the great processions parade through; the Lung'Adige, where the city's "contrade" (town districts) give life to the "Palio dell'Oca" (goose race), which consists in a series of ability tests, among teams who race in rafts; and the Dos Trento, that hosts the very original "Benedictine dinner ".

The renaissance show of the parades and the challenges is recalled owing to the architectonic frame of the city, and owing to the period costumes, which attract a vast International audience every year.

As well as many initiatives of cultural and folklorist character, the event also offers a fireworks show on the Adige, which closes the celebrations.

The event takes place in Trento, from the 22nd to the 26th of June 2001.

For further information: Trentino Tourism Office, tel. 0461/983880; fax. 0461/984508;

http://www.apt.trento.it/trento.htm; informazioni@apt.trento.it