Category: Observations about Culture
-
If You Must, A Mafia Museum In Sicily
The town of Salemi, photographed, is a gem in western Sicily. Not only does it boast a very cool castle that dates back to Arab times, but, in addition to a remarkable St. Joseph’s Day feast tradition, its civic museum is outstanding. Before I tell you more about that, I must mention the busiate pasta…
-
Tales From Sicilian America
This is such a fun read by Mike Fiorito! “Sleeping with Fishes” is a collection of essays about life in Sicilian America. Mike notices the beauty of humanity and shares it in his stories. They are vignettes and portraits and tales from his life and local travels. I’m blessed to have been included discussing cannoli…
-
The 2021 Brancati Olive Oil From Sicily Is Here
The 2021 olive oil from Sicily has arrived in the United States! I’m so thrilled to have this outstanding organic oil from Azienda Bio Brancati imported by Gelsomino Imports LLC. Once familiar with the care and love these olives received during cultivation, you realize the difference between mass-produced oil and Brancati’s phenomenal artisanal oil. It’s…
-
Lasagne For New Year’s In Sicily
While sporting red underwear, enjoying lasagne for New Year’s is traditional in some parts of Sicily (NB there are many, many traditions according to your “church bell” zone, aka campanilismo.). Importantly, however, it isn’t the lasagne that you might think. This Sicilian-style lasagne is more like a broad tagliatelle cut how you like it… And…
-
Visit A Sicilian Village On Market Day
In small mountain villages like Sant’Angelo Muxaro (pictured) and Licodia Eubea (where we host our Secret Sicily tour in July), “Market Day” is a significant day each week. Traveling vendors from all over Sicily set up shop in the main piazza to sell everything from fresh fish brought from the coast to vegetables from other…
-
The Nativity Scenes Of Caltagirone, Sicily
Today, Saint Stephen’s Day, is a national holiday in Italy. Traditionally, Sicilians and Italians spend the day with family and friends visiting presepi di Natale, or nativity scenes, like this one pictured from Caltagirone, a city renowned for its ceramic presepi. In fact, the city is home to a museum of nativity scenes that boasts…
-
Serendipitously Seen In Sicily: Lucia’s Relics Come Home
My friend Ed, who lives in Siracusa, sent me this photo (along with some video). On the Tuesday evening, the night of the solstice, he and his wife serendipitously came upon a marching band in the Piazza Duomo proudly performing as the fire department escorted the sacred relics of Santa Lucia back to their usual…
-
Lucia Lights The Way
Join me online on Monday evening (Eastern) to celebrate the Feast of Santa Lucia. I’ll discuss the legends, traditions, and history of Saint Lucy, the patroness of light, eyes, and wheat. I will also sing the beloved song Santa Lucia live. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrate-santa-lucia-online-with-experience-sicily-tickets-219247393857.
-
The Immaculate Conception In Sicily, December 8
Festa dell’Immacolata or the Feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated throughout Italy on December 8. The day recognizes that the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus, was conceived without original sin – something with which, in Catholic dogma, every person is considered to have been born. In Sicily, on December 7th and 8th, there…