This year’s Sagra del Mandorlo in Fiore in Agrigento is ongoing (This photo, by my cousin Filippo Buttitta, was taken at the 2016 feast.). Folk dance and music groups from all over the world gather annually to share their cultural patrimony at the UNESCO site Valley of the Temples and throughout the city.

Although I’ve never attended, it’s been a dream of mine to visit Agrigento during this festival–with all of the almond trees in bloom and joyous music and dance from around the world filling the streets, what could be a more wonderful way to celebrate spring’s arrival?