48° Incontro Nazionale Madonnari

08/15/2022

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Fiera delle Grazie returned with its 48th edition in the churchyard of the Santuario di Curtatone. Around 140 madonnari, from Italy and abroad, created an open-air museum using only chalk, in keeping with the tradition that distinguishes this event from street art.

This year's theme, peace, inspired the works in the competition, which took place in the usual three categories – simple, qualified and master – with cash prizes and popular recognition alongside the technical judgement of the jury.

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Marina Ferrari - President of Pro Loco Curtatone
We are now here in the square, we are also seeing some beautiful works, there are about 140 madonnari. We didn't have the full turnout because, unfortunately, some had to cancel at the last minute due to Covid, but let's say that the event is going well, the weather is helping us, the weather is helping us. So, what is it about this churchyard that makes it unique?
First of all, the fact that they only use chalk here, there are no additives, no sprays, we're not talking about street art, we're talking about madonnari who were born here and maintain the tradition here. We have seen some new recruits, there are quite a few new people, some from Mexico, others returning from Germany, people from the Netherlands and Switzerland, and we hope that now that everything has reopened, there will be a continuous influx of more. The jury is already at work, the technical jury is working in the area, and tonight they will give their verdict on the three categories, namely the simple madonnari, who are those who come here for the first time or who have a less beautiful style.
Then the first of the qualified madonnari, the first to win the simple madonnari prize, becomes a qualified madonnaro, and the first of the qualified madonnari becomes a master madonnaro. The winning master madonnaro will have the task of creating the sketch for next year's poster, and there will also be cash prizes for the winners, so it's quite a structured event. There is also the possibility of a popular jury prize, which is awarded by the people. They come, vote with a ballot paper, and that vote will determine which image is appreciated by the public.
Usually, the public is quite in line with the other jury, and we usually find a certain affinity, which means that they like it, they like it.
Gabriele Barucca - President of the Jury
I am doing my first round and I am surprised by both the quality and creativity. I have already told her what criteria will guide my work and, I hope, that of the other members of the jury: technical quality of the work, which is very complex given the difficulty of working on asphalt with materials such as chalk and so on, but also creativity. so I see there are differences related to the origin of the various madonnari. Many are Central American or South American and have a very recognisable, easily identifiable technique and artistic vision. so these are the parameters and now we will see how the day progresses, because some are further ahead than others, some are still at an embryonic stage, so the final judgement will be around 4-5 in the afternoon and then we will move on to the ranking, which will not be easy, it will not be easy because there are three categories, all represented by works of good quality, so it will be very difficult indeed.
Marco Busca - Bishop of Mantova
The theme given to the madonnari this year is clearly peace. I saw a depiction that really struck me, entitled “The Face of Peace”, which shows a dove blending into a human face. I believe that peace, before it can be achieved through international agreements and all forms of conflict resolution, must first begin with peaceful human faces, because peace is a gift that we must first cultivate within ourselves, becoming peaceful men and women and then instruments of peace in the environments in which we live.
Carlo Bottani - Mayor of Curtatone
Extraordinary joy on the feast of the Assumption, of harmony, of new beginnings, of happiness and therefore great satisfaction. Everything is going well, so this is the best way to visit Grazie these days, to thank the heavenly mother for all the graces and gifts she gives us every day and, above all, to see this spectacle, unique in the world, in the cradle of world art by the master madonnari. We look forward to seeing you today and tomorrow at Grazie.