About the Book

Standard Landscape, 10×8 in, 25×20 cm

The Mercato delle Gaite is a medieval festival held in Bevagna, Italy every year in June. The four quarters of the town each perform competitive re-enactments which incorporate a number of historical forms: crafts, gastronomy, and a street market. A theatrical story spoken in the language of the period, between 1250 and 1350, is dramatised in these re-enactments. Each competition is judged by expert specialists of the period. I was fortunate to be given permission to follow the judges and take photographs during the competition of the festival of 2011. This collection of photos aims to illustrate the experienceof these performances and celebrates the extent of young and old who participate in this wonderful event.