Traditional spring festival in Sicily
It's spring in Sicily. The landscapes are warming up thanks to the newborn sunshine breaking through from behind the greyness of winter. On the previously unadorned trees, flowers are blooming, green fields are returning to a state of luxury, and we are anxiously awaiting the arrival of the beautiful season. Almond trees are in bloom, the days are longer and the mild climate inspires us to pass our days out in the open air. Easter is just around the corner and in all of Sicily people are busy preparing in the best way possible for the rising of Christ, amongst processions, manifestations and masses in sacred places.
But spring is not just about Easter. Following are some other festivals and initiatives occurring throughout the period of spring.
Festival of Saint Alfio, Filadelfo and Cirino in Trecastagni
.jpg)
On the morning of 1st May in Trecastagni, a small town emerging along the slopes of Etna, 21 canon blasts announce the start of the celebrations and festivities which will continue until the 17th May, for the three martyr saints, Alfio, Filadelfio and Cirino.
It is one of the most characteristic and beautiful spring festivals in the entire region of Etna. The pilgrims arrive in their hundreds from all over Sicily to pay homage to the saints
slain to martyrdom in 253 A.C.
The three saints left Taormina and arrived in the town of Lentini at the end of a long journey carrying a heavy beam on their shoulders. Legend has it that throughout their journey they experienced prodigies and transformations, and so to remember this event, in the town of Sant'Alfio on the 1st May, it is tradition to light bonfires before people's houses.
In the following days after the exit of the "Candelore" (baroque and rococo wooden structures of various dimensions and height, carried on the shoulders of the devoted throughout various religious festivals) from the sanctuary dedicated to the martyrs, the "entry of music" can be witnessed, a moving spectacle of traditional songs also reminiscent of the folkloristic scholar Giuseppe Pitrè. The procession of sacred relics and the entry of the "singers" are followed by a magnificent show of fireworks staged by the three city quarters, also known as parties. During the night between the 9th and 10th of May, the naked arrive: barefoot pilgrims dressed in white, with a red sash on their shoulders bearing votive candles. The thousands of votive offerings displayed in the sanctuary are testimony to the devoted relationship between the three saints and their faithful. Some date back to the end of the 19th century and all tell stories of various healings and intercessions by the saints in favour of the faithful. The darkness and silence of the night is broken by the traditional "fair of Sant'Alfio", with the sale of sacred objects, tambourines and Sant'Alfio garlic, a symbol of the festival and of good health.
The morning of 10th May signals the highlight of the festivities which will continue yet for days and days. In the sanctuary, amongst cries of joy and exultation, the three saints' mock images are revealed, and a mass is celebrated. Outside, multi-coloured Sicilian carts are paraded, driven by the faithful who sing along to tunes, making their harnessed horses, adorned with feathers and bells, kneel before the church. The carts are full of people often dressed in typical Sicilian costumes, sometimes playing music, whether it be a tambourine with jingling cymbals, a cane carved whistle, or a jews' harp, contributing even more colour and sound to the festival. The images of the saints are greeted at the church exit by festive ringing bells, the throwing of coloured paper and firecrackers, before being carried in a procession which will travel through the city streets for the entire afternoon. All of this is concluded with a dazzling fish festival, able to entice even the most distrustful outsiders.
Savoca "Spring Concert" - April-May
A calendar rich in classical music concerts at the Centro Filarmonico (Philharmonic Centre).
Forza d'Agrò "Laurel festival" - Easter Monday
.jpg)
In a delightful spring climate on Easter Monday at Forza d'Agrò, for centuries now the "Laurel festival" has been celebrated. It is a festival with medieval origins, handed down year after year, without undergoing any changes over time. It consists in a parade of Sicilian carts decorated with laurel and flowers. Taking place in a gay and festive climate, this festival of immense Christian significance unites tradition with originality.
It is in fact ancient tradition to celebrate the "Laurel festival" commonly called the festival "du 'ddauru!", on this day. Since the beginning, this festival has inspired the entire population who, with laurels in hand, would participate in the procession up until the church of San Pietro and Paolo, in order to collect the Oil of Saints. The festival is centred on three very symbolic elements:
laurel, which represents the victory of Christ over Death and is used to create suggestive banners which are then carried in procession through the town streets.
Saint oils, which are a typical element of the Catholic tradition, used to heal the sick and representing the redemption of sins and spiritual healing. The oil is also carried in procession together with the banners.
"Cuddure", (wreaths of woven bread) which sybolise prosperity and charity. They are prepared by the local housewives and distributed to all those who follow the festival, representing a donation and a food which is fundamental for the life of man.
The festive climate can be felt well beforehand.
Artichoke Festival 9 & 11 April - Ramacca (CT)
From the 9th to 11th April, the 20th edition of the Artichoke festival in Ramacca will take place, dedicated to the precious Ramacca Violet with an IGP (protected geographical indication) mark. It is considered one of the most important gastronomical events in the region this spring.
.jpg)
Ramacca is a town with a predominantly agricultural economy, extending over an extremely fertile territory, rich in citrus plantations, vineyards and vines, and in the cultivation of grain, legumes and vegetables.
The town emerged along the margins of the south-west plain of Catania at the beginning of the 18th century. The territory, which is enriched by the splendid traditional farmhouses spread throughout the area enriching the landscape with true masterworks of rurual architecture, consists of low hills, gentle slopes and vast expanses of flat territory.
The Artichoke is an ancient and precious product of nature which has been commonly eaten since the beginning of time by the Egyptions, and also much appreciated throughout the Greek and Roman eras.
The 'Artichoke festival' has now become an unmissable calender event attracting a significant flow of visitors over the years, whether travellers or tourists, and should be experienced as an extraordinary time for socialising and cultural, artistic and gastronomic enrichment.
The festival includes the degustation of tasty morsel with artichokes, distributed and presented by stands displaying typical local products and more. Adding spice to it all, are performances and wonderful moments of cultural enrichment. Further, conferences have also been planned with the participation of producers, traders, relevant authorities, industry professionals and engineers.
10th Spring Festival of Two Seas Theatre, Patti (Me) May - June
The 10th edition of the spring festival in the ancient theatre of Tindari is about to begin. There will be performances of Euripides' Medea and Eschilo's Oresteia Atreus. Not to be missed. From 22nd May to 6th June.