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.
Tag: easter
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.
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…
The Easter Bread Arches of San Biagio Platani
Live from Sicily! We’ve experienced so much during these past two days while in Agrigento Province. A highlight has been seeing the work of the two brotherhoods from San Biagio Platini for their annual Archi di Pane, or the Easter Bread Arches. An Easter Sunday procession that unites Jesus and Mary in the center of…
Purity And Sacrifice: Easter Lambs in Sicily
Happy Easter! Buona Pasqua! The lamb is one of the most prominent symbols of Easter. In Christianity, it symbolizes purity and sacrifice – two qualities associated with Jesus Christ. The basic form of the lamb is created from marzipan (sweet almond paste) using a mold. Then the cook decorates the pastry according to his or…
Good Friday In Enna, Sicily
Live from Sicily! Yesterday, we went to the Good Friday procession in Enna, where 16 brotherhoods recognized the death of Christ with humility, covering their solemnity as to keep the focus on the commemoration. I know the costumes may trigger offensive thoughts for Americans. Please set this aside, for our association with hoods such as…
Peace for Easter Monday
Buona Pasquetta! Happy Easter Monday! This is a close-up of one of the works of art from the Archi di Pane in San Biagio Platani. My cousin, Filippo Buttitta, attended the 2016 feast and took this photo.
Homage To Mother and Son
Happy Easter! Today marks the start of the “Archi di Pasqua,” or the Arches of Easter in San Biagio Platini in Agrigento Province. From now until May 6, the mountain town’s Corso Umberto (i.e., Main Street) will be decorated with elaborate archways, domes, and bell towers constructed using river reeds, willow, asparagus, bay leaf, rosemary,…
We Made Little Lambs (for Easter)
This flock of Favara-style Easter lambs was made by our Stirring Sicily cooking and wine tour group in September 2016 with chef Nino Elia and Zest of Lititz, Penn. under the direction of Annalisa Pompeo of GoSicily. In Sicily, the lamb is one of the most prominent symbols of Easter. The edible art is made…
The Amazing Bread Arches of Easter
Once again this year (after a hiatus last year), the citizens of San Biagio Platini in Agrigento Province will recognize Christ’s triumph over death with the “Archi di Pasqua,” or the Arches of Easter. This year from April 1 until May 6, the mountain town’s Corso Umberto (i.e., Main Street) will be outfitted with elaborate…