A delegation from the Sarasota Chalk Festival, comprising all its Board Members, will journey to Genzano di Roma, Italy, to collaborate with local Floral Masters of the Momo di Genzano Association in Rome for the 246th traditional Italian Infiorata display of Genzano di Roma.
The Infiorata will be executed by 17 Master Flower painting decorators, with each group consisting of approximately 30 individuals. A vast area exceeding 2000 square meters will be adorned with fresh flowers, petals, and other natural materials.
Ivano Gianiorio, Director of Traditional Infiorata, affirms, "Your delegation will collaborate with the Floral Masters in creating a flower tapestry and also engage with the children of the Parish of the Santissima Trinita. These children have participated in a year-long training course to learn the techniques of the traditional Infiorata of Genzano, guided by the masters Mauro Berti and Francesca Derasmo of the Momo Association."
In 1778, the streets of Genzano di Roma were first embellished with flower petals, inaugurating an annual tradition. Since then, the Infiorata, a blend of religious, historical, and folkloristic elements, has been observed annually alongside Corpus Domini. This tradition has earned global acclaim, establishing Genzano di Roma as a renowned cultural destination.
In 2011, the Ministry of Tourism acknowledged the Infiorata of Genzano di Roma as a 'Heritage of Italy for Tradition.' It was commended as an exemplary event that not only promotes tourism but also enhances the national image while enriching the region's history and culture with a contemporary perspective.
As per tradition, the ancient via Livia, now via Italo Belardi, is transformed into a floral masterpiece during the Infiorata. This transformation involves the creation of 14 intricate floral paintings, covering nearly 2,000 square meters. Approximately 415,000 carnations, along with other botanical essences, are meticulously arranged to achieve the paintings' characteristic vivid and brilliant colors.
The central focus of the Infiorata is on the flowers, which are meticulously collected and arranged on the ground using techniques deeply rooted in history but continuously revitalized through the imaginative expression of the Master Flower Decorators.
The quintessential protagonist of the Infiorata is the carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.), indigenous to the Mediterranean region. Each stem displays two distinct components: the leaves and the corolla, composed of petals fused at the base, imparting to it the characteristic of having 'curled' ends. In its natural state, it exhibits a variety of colors with rich nuances.
All materials used are strictly sourced from the plant kingdom. This includes not only carnations but also an assortment of elements such as straw, fennel, pine seeds, chrysanthemums, pine bark, black vine, corn, rice, sage, chili peppers, wheat, soybeans, pine nut shells, oregano, black coffee, bran, and black pine cones. This extensive list comprises petals, leaves, soil, and bark in countless hues, essential for faithfully reproducing a range of subjects—from geometric patterns to decorative motifs, human forms to objects, animals to landscapes.
Please follow our journey on our social media pages, @chalkfestival,
PLEASE NOTE: The Sarasota Chalk Festival will host a team from Genzano di Roma, joining us November 8 - 10, 2024, in Sarasota, along with teams from Genero, Italy; the Canary Islands, Spain; Mexico; and India.
