Lacchierella, 28 September 2014 - The "ciarlasca" community is outraged by the falsehoods posted on the net by the "Animalisti 100%" group on the Palio delle oche.
The city is preparing for the appointment, with the historical parade and the fireworks that inaugurated the 38th edition of the Ciarlasco Autumn. But on the faces of the "insiders" was visible anger for that Facebook profile "Presidium vs Palio delle Oche" which announces for next 12 October, the highlight of the traditional agricultural festival when the run of the geese will take place, a protest demonstration . Buses from Verona and other northern locations are even expected. Already in recent years the presence of demonstrators has raised the tension and only the work of the police has prevented clashes.
"These are not animal rights activists - explains Andrea Dondè -, they are the ones who put the health of the geese at risk. Last year they threw pins on the course with the risk of hurting them ». Citizens and geese have a particular feeling in Lacchiarella. For everyone they are "sacred" animals, always pampered and cared for. It is tradition. «Here with us they live for a long time, I have one who is thirteen years old. There are people who have three or four in the courtyard - says Luca Este -. Because these people don't go demonstrating where they actually mistreat animals. They know that for all the citizens of Lacchiarella they are not welcome ». Thousands of spectators arrive during the Palio delle Oche. In some editions there were even thirty thousand visitors, as Giorgio Mussi, president of the Ciarlaschi cantons association explains: «It is a great party that attracts about fifty thousand people in two weeks. The most awaited moment is the run of the geese and just look at the films and photos of the past to see that the geese are never touched. The image that circulates on the internet is false ». The organizers ensure that the trainer of the geese, both in the slackening and during the Palio, can only call the animal by voice but never touch it with his hands or with any tool.
"Let's also dispel a cliché, geese are very intelligent animals - adds Mussi -, once they have seen the route they learn it by heart with great ease". The mayor Antonella Violi also took sides in defense of the Palio and announced that no acts of violence will be tolerated: "The event will take place regularly because it is the tradition of our community". On the site of the "Animalists 100%", in recruiting the participants in the protest demonstration, the indication "abstain pacifists" sounds threatening, which worries the whole community a lot.
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