Yukidea 2004, Climbing in the square, on the Capitani Palace
Ascoli Piceno, October 3, 2004

Photos of Antonio Palermi and Domenico Oddi

On Sunday, October 3, during a warm autumn day, in the historical center of Ascoli Piceno (Marche), it was possible to experience, beside the usual walk in the square, also an unusual climb on the Capitani del popolo Palace, a wonderful building dating back to 1200. Piazza del Popolo is the living room of the town, and the palace has represented ever since the history, the aesthetical meaning of the main town of Marche, ideal place also for movie stages and recent advertising clips.
Everyday all kinds of citizens of Ascoli walk around in the square. But here it is interesting to notice the presence of a few people who would be noted in the margin in other towns, while here they give life and color to the place: the crazy Rita, Giacomino, Beard Pino and many others. Besides them, the entire town society walks around here: the politicians and the Community Council, the priests and the ones who want to have breakfast in the Café Meletti, the ones who enjoy a drink in the Central and also the climbing enthusiasts, always more numerous.
In this context of a quiet provincial town, a blow of life was necessary to animate the ambiance. The fervid fantasy of Sergio Torquati, manager of the Yuki Club of Ascoli Piceno, made the rest.
We thought about a promotional sports day, proposed from different angles.
On Sunday, October 3, during the sports event Yukidea (Climbing, Kick Boxing, Artistic Gymnastic, acrobatic bike courses, Tango, Belly Dance), we threw down two ropes through the large windows of the Sala della Ragione of the Capitani del Popolo Palace. There was suddenly a lot of curiosity in the square for this strange activity, officially new for the place, although it must be said that for at least thirty years different generations of alpinists and local climbers have been tasting the “travertine” (porous yellowish limestone, ndr), that covers the walls of the historical center, stimulated by the great local wine, with furious acrobatic-climbing confrontations, in a student background.
The first one to climb, and to make a split on the throne of the Pope Paolo III, mid-height, was Stefano Romanacci, doc citizen of Ascoli and talented climber. In a few minutes the square was crowded and everybody was looking up.
With Stefano an eleven-year-old climber of BSide was climbing: Alessandro Oddi (a name to keep in mind for the future) and other friends of the gym. To finish the day and to satisfy the expectations of the children who were waiting for the arrival of Spiderman, Mauro Calibani, the Bouldering World Champion, arrived late in the afternoon, and the show ended with the fireworks.
Mauro and Stefano climbed the wall with one and two–hand dynos, with one-finger holds and greetings to the crowd. And all was accompanied by the good music of the aperitif hour and by the not requested comments of the crazy Rita.
The phrase of the day? Two guys sitting at the bar sipping a Martini who, looking from the distance at Stefano climbing, wondered: « Ma quiss ‘ndo c…. s’ tè? » (But where the hell does he hold on?).
Mauro Mongiovì