The May of the Girls of Riolunato is a Lyrical May and has kept its original characteristics almost unchanged: the theme of spring and love, the joyful and ironic character, typical of a culture born from below, and above all the motif of begging, the the offering of food, gifts in kind, in exchange for "respect" wishes intended as a ceremonial and propitiatory good.
The "May of the Girls" is performed in Riolunato (Mo) every three years and belongs to the oldest and most spontaneous popular cultural tradition widespread not only in Italy but in much of Europe and Asia. The event in question takes place in Riolunato in two moments: one during the entire night between April 30th and May 1st; the other on the second Sunday of May.
The young males and men of the town (on the occasion lit only by lamps and torches) sing a wishful sonnet called "respect" to each family, accompanied by stringed instruments (guitar, violin and mandolin) and abundant libations.
Thus, under their windows, every family in the town hears the song of respect dedicated to them and throughout the night until the morning the town resonates with the auspicious songs of the "maggiolanti".
A pleasant characteristic of this first phase of May is the "embassy", which can be defined, in truth very prosastically, as a declaration of love through a third party.
Commissioned by the lover eager to declare himself to his beauty, it is sung by one of the "Maggiolanti" in front of the girl's closed window: if she intends to reciprocate the declaration of love, she will open the window and show the light.
The other part of the festival takes place on the second Sunday of May and begins during the morning with the collection of gifts offered by each family.
The festival continues during the afternoon with a parade of men and women in traditional costumes, at the end of which a banquet is set up accompanied by traditional songs and dances.
(text by Pamela Gianni)