Not only does the Palio di Siena end up in the crosshairs of animal rights activists. Even that of donkeys of Torrita unleashing shields, right now that, after two years of hiatus due to the pandemic, the long-awaited demonstration is about to return, Sunday 29 May.
The Italian horse protection (Ihp), which presents itself as “the first Italian association for the protection of equidae“, From its headquarters in Montaione launches an appeal to the president of the Tuscany Region, Eugenio Giani, to take action to block the runwhich will crown a week of celebrations in the town of the province of Siena.

“In 2022 – says the president of the group, Sonny Richichi – it would be time to disconnect the concept of popular festival from the use of animals. Exploiting them, acting against their will and making them suffer for the enjoyment of human beings must be considered a legacy of the past: they don’t enjoy competing. These events are not worthy of a civilized and mature society like that of Tuscany. We therefore ask the organizers and the Municipality to replace the donkey race with activities that do not include the use of animals, following the example of Italian realities Lodi, Pavia, Mola di Bari, Castelfiorentino and several others, which have chosen not to exploit animals during their civil and religious celebrations“.

However, if a Torrita of Siena not selecting to listen to the heartfelt appeal (as everything suggests, given that the wait to see the colors in contention is already high and will grow day by day), Ihp is aiming directly at the regional leaders: “Ci contact the governor Eugenio Giani directly, a profound connoisseur of the traditions of the territory, so that he undertakes during his mandate to promote a cultural and regulatory change capable of adapting popular demonstrations to the present time and to the changed sensitivities of an ever-increasing number of citizens“.