The struggle between good and evil has always been a focal point for humanity, a key theme of religions, literature, art, philosophy, and every human activity in general.

The Golden Legend is part of the mythology which has inspired our “St. George and the Dragon” and which well-represents this continuous struggle to conquer evil and overcome adversity, extolling courage, nobility of the soul and the value of sacrifice.

As legend has it, the events are set in the city of Selem in Libya. The people are in festive celebration for the return of the victorious king after many long years of war. But the gaiety soon disappears with the news that a terrible Dragon, that perfect icon of evil who inhabits the marshes nearby, until then appeased with the sacrifice of two herds every month, has demanded a greater blood-tribute from the city: a young Selem maiden every new moon. The kingdom plunges into a state of desolation and fear with only the prospect of the maidens’ sacrifice offering a faint glimmer of hope.

As the last hope abandons the people of Selem, it is the Knight St. George, raised in the principles of good, who kills the Dragon and restores life and joy to the entire kingdom.

The final battle between St. George and the Dragon concludes the eternal rite of the struggle between good and evil where, once again, good triumphs and evil is defeated.

The show, performed by the Contrada di San Giorgio for the events of the Chestnut Festival, involves all the cultural groups of the district: actors, who play rigorously live, musicians, drummers, clarions, dancers, trampoline artists, fire artists and fire eaters – a magical blend of stage prose and street theatre.

Live theatre performance of “Giorgio e il Drago” – St. George and the Dragon – by the Contrada San Giorgio [the San Giorgio District], directed by Maurizio Annesi together with the Actors, Musicians, Fire Artists of their Medieval Dance Group and the participation of the Gatto Lupesco musical group.