Description:

The Corsa delle Bighe (Chariot Race) is the main folk festival in Scheggia and Pascelupo and takes place every year on 8 September to mark the patron saint’s day of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. Established in 1991 to commemorate the town’s ancient Roman origins, the event involves the entire community in a contest between the two historic districts, Borgo and Piazza, which compete along the streets of the historic centre with chariots pulled by hand by teams of four men and steered by charioteers. 

More than just a sporting competition, the Corsa delle Bighe represents a moment of strong collective participation. The preparations involve volunteers, families and local associations in staging the historical procession, organising the neighbourhood wine cellars, arranging the tambourine performances and the numerous initiatives that accompany the festival. The healthy rivalry between Borgo and Piazza strengthens the sense of belonging to their respective districts, whilst at the same time helping to consolidate the identity of the entire community, transforming the event into an opportunity for people of all generations to come together and share experiences. 

The video document not only the race but also the atmosphere that characterises this day: the involvement of the local population, the link between the religious and civic celebrations, the participation of historical associations, and the promotion of the historic centre and local traditions. The event thus serves as an example of how intangible cultural heritage can be kept alive through the community’s commitment and passed on to new generations. 

The Corsa delle Bighe also helps to raise the profile of Scheggia and Pascelupo and the Monte Cucco Park area, attracting visitors and offering an opportunity to discover the area’s historical, cultural and landscape heritage. In this sense, it represents a significant example of how a shared tradition can strengthen the ‘sense of place’, promote intergenerational dialogue and support the revitalisation of rural areas through the active participation of the community.