Palio di Siena: Sunshine Returns for the Assunta Race
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The Palio di Siena, one of Italy's most famous traditions, is taking place today in Piazza del Campo, the historic main square of Siena.
This edition of the race had faced postponements earlier, likely because of the weather. However, sunny skies today have allowed the event to go ahead as planned.
The race being run is called the Carriera dell'Assunta, a version of the Palio held in mid-August. It is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. local time.
The Palio involves ten contrade, which are traditional districts of Siena. Each contrada enters a horse and rider, and the pairings for this race, known as the accoppiate, have already been announced.
The event will be broadcast live on television, and many viewers are also expected to watch coverage online or in person at the square.
Organisers have increased security measures for this year's race. Spectators will go through filtering checks before entering the crowded piazza.
In addition, a special anti-drone system has been put in place to prevent unauthorised drones from flying over the event, likely for safety and privacy reasons.
The Palio di Siena is deeply tied to local identity, with each contrada fiercely competing for the honour of victory in this centuries-old tradition.
Vocabulary7 words
- Palio di Siena
- a very old and famous horse race in Siena, Italy
- Piazza del Campo
- the main square in Siena where the race takes place
- postponements
- delays; when something is moved to a later time
- Carriera dell'Assunta
- the name of the August running of the Palio
- contrade
- the traditional districts of Siena that compete in the race
- accoppiate
- the official pairings of horses and riders for the race
- security
- actions taken to keep people and places safe
Quiz
Answer key
1. Because of weather 2. The pairings of horses and riders 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The Palio di Siena, one of Italy's most famous _____, is taking place today in Piazza del Campo.
This edition of the race had faced _____ earlier, likely because of the weather.
However, sunny skies today have allowed the event to go _____ as planned.
The race being run is called the Carriera dell'_____, held in mid-August.
It is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. _____ time.
The Palio involves ten _____, which are traditional districts of Siena.
Each contrada enters a horse and rider, and the _____ have already been announced.
The event will be _____ live on television.
Organisers have increased _____ measures for this year's race.
A special anti-drone system has been put in place to prevent unauthorised drones from flying over the event.