Genzano's Flower Carpets, a folkloristic tradition of shapes and colours

The ancient tradition of the Infiorata of Genzano first took place many years ago, exactly in 1778, when the town's streets were coloured and filled with flower petals for the first time. Since then, every year, on the occasion of the feast of Corpus Christi, this world-famous religious, historical, but above all folkloristic event comes to life. From a religious point of view, the Infiorata is a feast that is intimately and deeply connected with this Catholic celebration: in fact, in conjunction with the Procession of the Blessed Sacrament, flowers were scattered 'with full hearts'.

More than 350,000 flowers are required to realise the immense floral expanse covering the central Via Italo Belardi, divided into various 'pictures'. The petals are arranged by expert flower arrangers with skilful mastery, as if they were pigments on a painter's palette: the yellow of the broom, the red of the carnations, the green of the boxwood and the wild fennel combine to form singular 'carpets' that enchant every contemplation.

On the Saturday evening preceding Corpus Christi Sunday, the laying of the designs on the ground begins, followed by the laying of the petals, which is completed on Sunday morning to accompany the afternoon procession. On the Monday immediately following, the floral carpet is pervaded with music and colours, thanks to the music band and local folk group parading through the streets of the city. Finally, the 'spallamento' takes place, the most eagerly awaited moment, especially by young people and children, who run from the steps of the Church of Santa Maria and unravel all the paintings of flowers.

Over the 240 years of the event's existence, numerous illustrious personalities have honoured Genzano with their presence, including H.C. Andersen, N. Gogol, Massimo D'Azeglio and August Bournonville. In particular, the anecdote of Giuseppe Garibaldi during the 1875 Infiorata created in his honour remains famous. Invited to pass, and therefore to step on, the enormous carpet of flowers, it seems that he refused, declaring: 'Certain divine things are not to be stepped on!

Although the highlight of the event is concentrated in just three days, it must be emphasised that the Infiorata requires a long preparation period that practically knows no rest and that starts work as early as the end of the event itself. Basically, from January to December, several stages are planned so that the final and definitive display can take place in all its splendour and perfection.

As the name itself suggests, Infiorata means that the undisputed protagonists are the flowers, whose petals are masterfully arranged on a veritable carpet using ancient techniques that are brought back to life and renewed thanks to the creative flair of the Master Florists. The carnation occupies a prominent place. With its corolla with its curled ends, it lends itself well to this creative 'mission'; its colours, with their numerous shades, add value to all creations, even if mainly the red carnation is used.

Each painting is strictly made with material from nature and the plant world. In addition to flowers, there is a long list of leaves, earth, bark - pine bark, black vine, maize, rice, sage, chilli pepper, wheat, soya, pine nut husks, oregano, coffee black, bran, pine cone black - all essential and necessary to reproduce, through the various shades and colours as realistically as possible, the subjects to be represented. These may be human figures, animals, geometric or decorative motifs: the aim is to represent a suggestion starting from the beauty of creation, flowers in fact, culminating in the art of floristry.

Because of the particular relevance of this spectacular artistic interpretation, the Ministry of Tourism, in 2011, declared the Infiorata of Genzano di Roma 'Heritage of Italy for Tradition', as it is 'an expression of the ability to promote tourism and the national image and to enhance the history and culture of the territory with an interpretation appropriate to today's times'.

This recognition is confirmed and reaffirmed every year with the presence of thousands of visitors who do not miss this suggestive blaze of colours. Fundamental if not indispensable, in addition to the flowers, is undoubtedly the role of the Master Florists who, from simple petals, are able to give life to authentic works of art capable of moving anyone who lays eyes on them.

Skilfully created colour effects, knowledge of plant species, treatments for their preservation, petal-laying techniques... This and much more is required by this ancient profession, a true art that is handed down from generation to generation to keep alive a tradition to be jealously guarded.