Giganti al Castello Visconteo

On Saturday 18 May, Locarno's impressive Castello Visconteo will be the stage for an extraordinary event: the parade of the Catalan Xauxa giants, an iconic medieval-style tradition from Catalonia. It will also be an opportunity to celebrate International Museum Day.
With an imposing height of over 4 metres, the Catalan Xauxa giants will perform through the streets of Locarno, starting from Largo Zorzi at 10.30 am. Accompanied by a procession of traditional musicians, they will enter the courtyard of the Castello Visconteo, where the show will continue to enchant the public. At 4.30 p.m. the giants will resume their journey from the castle courtyard, through Piazza Grande to return to Largo Zorzi. The Delegation of the Government of Catalonia in Switzerland, in partnership with the Cultural Services of the City of Locarno, invites for the first time in Italian-speaking Switzerland the Giants of the Xauxa quarter to introduce the population to this fascinating and ancient Catalan cultural tradition. Starting at 1.30 p.m., at the Castello Visconteo, it will also be possible to take part in the engaging workshop Anche io sono un gigante (I am a giant too), dedicated to the creation of headgear inspired by giants (from 6 to 12 years old). A children's make-up artist will also be present.
At 2.30 p.m., in Casorella's Hall of Honour, the conference Il gigante nell'immaginario medievale (The Giant in the Medieval Imaginary) held by historian Roberto Biolzi of the University of Lausanne will take place.

Programme
10.30 a.m. - 11.30 a.m. Parade of the giants from Largo Zorzi to the Castle via Piazza Grande, Rotonda and Via della Motta
11.30 - 12.00 Official speech and presentation of the Catalan giants' tradition
12.00 - 14.30 Performance of the giants with musical accompaniment in the courtyard of the Visconti Castle
13.30 - 14.30 Creative workshop for families I'm a giant too: creation of special headgear in collaboration with CandyduArte (compulsory reservation: [email protected])
14.00 - 16.00 Children's make-up workshop with the creation of fantastic face paintings, with Bimbofun
14.30 - 15.30 Lecture The giant in the medieval imagination with Dr. Roberto Biolzi (University of Lausanne)
16.30 - 17.15 Parade of the giants from the Castle to Largo Zorzi, via alla Motta and Piazza Grande

On this special day, which coincides with International Museum Day, access to the Castello Visconteo and the Museo Casorella, as well as participation in the events, will be completely free of charge for all those interested.

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• Exhibitions and fairs