Last year’s Infiorata in Noto (pictured) celebrated Chinese culture. This year’s flower carpet festival, which takes place this weekend, has the theme of Sicilians In America.
Category: Observations about Culture
You’ll Want To Kiss A Fisherman
When traveling to Sicily, I ask that you challenge your ideas about fish. Fish in North America, and certainly the canned and frozen kind, are not like the fresh fish you find in the markets and in restaurants in Sicily. In fact, they have many different kinds of fish that we never see on our…
The Saintly Details
Santa Rosalia, as illustrated in this year’s Archi di Pasqua… Created in a mosaic style using cereals. She is depicted holding a skull, which is a reminder of our mortality.
Gifts From Mother Earth
The chandeliers that line the main corridor of San Biagio Platini’s Archi di Pasqua (Arches of Easter) are made with natural materials. Citizens of the town spend months creating these works of art that celebrate the gifts from Mother Earth.
Circular Loaves For Maria Santissima
The Maria Santissima or Madonna brotherhood side of the Archi di Pasqua in San Biagio Platani, Sicily is decorated in blue and features artwork illustrating the legends and myths of Sicily and its saints and ancient divinities. Pictured here is the entrance archway that displays the cuddura circular bread (behind the white, glazed bread loaves)…
Joy In The Community Effort In Sicily
The Arches of Easter or gli Archi di Pasqua continues in San Biagio Platani until June 2. It is truly an extraordinary event to visit. Two brotherhoods of the town–the Jesus side (pictured) and the Mary side spend months preparing artwork with which they line the main street of town in celebration of Easter. Yet…
Cuddura Bread Loaves For The Mother
Bread loaves created in the form of a circle or doughnut may be found all over Sicily. The name, “cuddura” bread (also called cuddureddi), comes from the ancient Greek word kollura (or kuddura), which means crown. The loaves are shaped as such so that shepherds and those working in the grain fields and vineyards could…
Endless Vineyards In Trapani Province, Sicily
Live from Sicily! I just keep falling further in love with Sicily… Trapani Province woos me with its endless vineyards, olive groves, and wheat fields. Sweeping mountain views and turquoise sea, busiate pasta and textured couscous, overstuffed cannoli, magnificent beauty, and excellent hospitality. What a heartwarming way to close this trip! Alla prossima!
Salemi, Sicily, An Undiscovered Treasure
Live from Sicily! Yesterday, after closing our two-week private tour (What a wonderful time I had with the family!), I headed to Salemi, a truly undiscovered treasure in Trapani Province. I met with Visit Borgo Salemi to learn more about this fascinating town and how we can collaborate to share it with Experience Sicily clients….
In Cerda, Sicily Artichokes, Artichokes Everywhere
Live from Sicily! We mingled with the locals yesterday during the Sagra del Carciofo (Artichoke Festival) in Cerda, Sicily. Food, food, food… Music, dancing, shopping… Artichokes served every which way! Then, an afternoon in the enchanting Cefalù. It was la Festa della Liberazione. Liberation Day, recognizing Italy’s triumph over fascism after the second World War….