Allegory

UNNI...PASSI TU, NUN CHISCI L'ERBA

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Author: Vincenzo Mandracchia

Attila, a descendant of the Anneavacchi tribe (translated in English someone who makes ships sink), gathered under the aegis of his sword the Vacantunni people, an ethnic minority from Sciacca. Since several centuries, this people is without a leader and is banished to a secluded place.
To revenge centuries of injustices, Attila organises his people to conquer Sciacca. The victories will be instantaneous thanks to clever intrigues and machinations aimed at deceiving, charming and occupying Sciacca.  Attila’s name echoes in every province: “the Scourge of God, who is on his side is blessed”. He is so powerful that where he passes the grass will never grow again. 
The VacantUnni people toast and party at every stage towards the final conquest. At that very moment, their king extreme superstition will severely punish them.
Three factors are represented: Sicilian culture, society and history. In Sicily, the idiom " where you pass the grass will never grow again” can be used to describe someone for two reasons: to indicate someone who has had a great deal of misfortune in his life or to describe someone as negligent and careless. According to the jargon of Sciacca, "anneavacchi" (someone who makes ships sink) is a dishonest and incompetent person.  
The king of the Huns was famous for his violence to the point Romans remembered him as the "Flagellum Dei" (the Scourge of God) due to his courage and talent as a leader. These qualities are well known and praised all around Europe. So, Attila was really different from an “anneavacchi”. This common epithet is used to describe two antithetical figures. The classic difference between the hero (Attila) and anti-hero (the Sicilian Anneavacchi), but with a convergence. From this convergence, the idea of mixing the two characters was born and Attila was put in the shoes of someone who is at the same time careless and misfortunate and who is trying to exploit these qualities to become famous and rich.
The float’s main character is Attila on the back of his horse. Underneath him, the grass is burning, but it’s no longer his grass instead it’s the one of his neighbour: he destroys love stories, fortunes, lottery wins, families and friendships. Even the most beautiful flowers are burnt. 
On this mission, he is not alone. Behind him, two members of his army are helping him.