Cori, a little village close to Rome, is in fact quite well known in the world to be the cradle of the Renaissance Flag-Throwers who have performed in so many countries overseas.

Flag throwing dates back to renaissance times when three young knights, wearing new clothes and with brand new flags, were invited to take part in the Games organised in Rome in 1512. Their flags had the coats of arms of both Cori and Rome.

The historical pageant "Carosello Storico dei Rioni" has been celebrated every year in Cori since 1937 (when the Renaissance flags reappeared, handled by novice and young flag-throwers who performed in the first edition a personal and improvised style using right those flags).

The origin of this magnificent event dates back to 1530 when candles were taken to the Madonna Sanctuary to thank her for saving the people of Cori from a terrible plague.

1966’s edition. It’s the beginning,“the baptism of fire”, the group “RIONI DI CORI” Italian State Renaissance Flag Throwers debuts performing a choral choreography begot by a unique and matchless style.

The group has received several awards over the years both at home and abroad.
Here are just a few:

500th AMERICA’S DISCOVERY CELEBRATION -1992 (Columbus – OH, U.S.A.);

EPCOT CENTER – WALT DISNEY WORLD award from Walt Disney co. (Orlando – FL, U.S.A.);

CHINA International Folk Art Festival Special Prize (Huangshan – China);

Folklore Oscar - World Folklore Festival (Gorizia – Italy);

Premio Campidoglio from Roma’s Town Council (Roma – Italy);

BICENTENARY OF THE ITALIAN FLAG award (Roma – Italy);

PREMIO SIMPATIA 1974 - important award conceived by the famous historiographer Domenico Pertica. The group got it from a Committee of very important peolple of the cultural and show jet set like the director Vittorio De Sica and the actress Sophia Loren (Roma – Italy);

HONG KONG TOURISM BOARD Special Prize - 2006 Cathay Pacific International Chinese New Year Night Parade (Hong Kong – China);

etc.

The group was created by Prof. Giovanni Pistilli who have been, for long time, President of the Festival Commission of the C.I.O.F.F. (International Council of Organisations for Folklore Festivals and Folk Art. NGO in formal consultative relations with UNESCO).

Over the years honorary membership has been granted to local dignitaries such as Mr Hubert Howard, widower of Mrs Lelia Caetani the last member of the noble family and owner of the castle, in nearby Sermoneta and of the famous bothanic Garden of the Ninfa (Medieval town) the wide known “Pompei del Medioevo” .

The group’s spectacular performances have been enhanced over the years through the musical support of the group “Fanfarra Antiqua” (ancient fanfare). They play both tambourines and trumpets.

Moments that we consider to be the most important in our history are when we represented Italy in the Opening Ceremony of the 24th OLYMPIC GAMES in Seoul, South Korea; Opening Ceremony of the 20th OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES Torino 2006, Italy; when we took part in the event Cinema Italian Style at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Hollywood - Los Angeles, in U.S.A. ; when we were invited to perform at the WORLD EXPOSITION in Japan in 1985 (Tsukuba) and in 2005 (Aichi). However, our greatest moment was when, as official representatives of our country, we took part in the Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland.