Publications
I Malavolti
I Malavolti, the periodical of the Contrada del Drago, was born in 1974 on the initiative of a group of young contradaioli attentive to changing habits. Its aim is to bring the Contrada into the homes of those who cannot live Contrada life every day. And indeed, the first issues report on the activities carried out and announce weddings and births. While in its early years I Malavolti came out at no fixed intervals, the “giornalino” (newsletter) then evolved, reaching the homes of the contradaioli on at least two set occasions: the Festa Titolare and the Christmas holidays. There have also been special editions, recounting particular moments in the life of the Contrada. From the four initial sheets entrusted to distinguished Contrada writers, I Malavolti has grown into a proper editorial team. Over the years its graphic design has also changed: the first colour photos date from 1998, and the following year saw the first issue entirely in colour. Many changes of look, the latest complete redesign in 2023, but I Malavolti still fulfils its role of bringing the Contrada into the homes of the contradaioli.
Numero Unico
The Numero Unico is the publication that every victorious Contrada releases to celebrate their victory in the Palio. The tradition began in the 1930s and has since become an essential element of the celebrations following a victory. The volume contains anecdotes related to the events of the Carriera (Palio), and there may be references to the horse, the jockey, and the events of the race, as well as stories about the Contrada members, how they received the news, and how they behaved in those moments of euphoria. Moreover, the Numeri Unici are always accompanied by many photographs, other drawings, or cartoons, all connected to the themes of that particular victory by the Contrada, through a more or less visible "red thread". There are 13 Numeri Unici by the Contrada del Drago. The first celebrates the victory achieved in the Extraordinary Palio of Peace (il Palio della Pace) held on the 20th August 1945... and does not have a title. Inside are the texts by Giuseppe Bimbi, Sergio Damiani, Ezio Felici, Lorenzo Fabbri (Pappio), Aldo Marzi, Giorgio Neri, the Picchi brothers, Mario Pulcinelli, Gino Regiori, Lorenzo Stecchini and Mario Verdone. The drawings are by Aldo Picchi. The Numero Unico that celebrates the victory of 16th August 1962 and is called "Grancarriera", features a cover and drawings by Emgia (in real life, a very young Emilio Giannelli). The editors-in-chief are Alberto Rossi and Enrico Giannelli. For the victory of 16th August 1963 comes "Piazza Pulita" followed by "Il filo di Arianna" for the victory of 2nd July 1964, on both occasions with cover and drawings by Emgia and editor-in-chief Alberto Rossi. For the victory of the 2nd July 1966, "Dragomania" was published. After 20 years, to celebrate the end of the long fast and the return to victory, "Beati gli ultimi" arrived on the 2nd July 1986, with the collaboration of a great many Dragaiole and Dragaioli. "Ippomanzia" celebrates the victory of 16th August 1989, and "Ricamato", with the thousand faces of Emgia, which tells of the victory of 16th August 1992. The following year, after the victory of 16th August 1993, came the "revolutionary" "United Colors of Dragon" and the "Quore" attachment. We arrive in the new millennium with "Nuovo Cinema Paradiso" which celebrates the victory of 16th August 2001, then in 2014 "D'Oppio-Doppio" for that of 2nd July 2014. "Favoloso" is the Numero Unico for the victory of 2nd July 2018 and "Su Misura" for that of 2nd July 2022.
