Tag: festa
-
Santa Lucia Lunch Sun., Dec. 9 in New York City
In Siracusa, Sicily last spring, I thanked Santa Lucia for guiding me through last winter–a particularly long and arduous one for me. Now, days from the winter solstice, I invite you to join me for our annual Experience Sicily luncheon celebrating the patroness of light, eyes, sight, and wheat on Sunday, Dec. 9 in New…
-
Celebrate Santa Lucia in New York City
The days are short, with evening coming early–too early for my liking. This is why I have an affinity for Santa Lucia, the patroness of light: I seek her support during these cold, dark months. Please join me for the annual luncheon celebrating the Feast of Santa Lucia on Sunday, Dec. 9 in New York…
-
Pupaccene For The Day Of The Dead in Sicily
Orlando and Rolando, our heroes from the opera dei pupi theater, make an appearance off-stage, today, for the Day of the Dead, known in Sicilian as, un juornu re muorti; yet this time, as sugar dolls, or pupaccene, pictured. Pupaccene, which today are only made by a handful of artisans in Sicily, are traditionally produced…
-
Porticello’s Madonna del Lume Feast
Currently, the village of Porticello, where my grandfather was born and raised, is celebrating the feast of its patroness, the Madonna del Lume (The Madonna of the Light). I’ve experienced the feast a couple of times, 2015, pictured here. Traditionally, on the Monday of the feast, the sacred painting of the Madonna is taken down…
-
Listen for The Chants During Il Festino
“Il festivo,” which takes place in Palermo on the evening of July 14 in honor of Santa Rosalia, is a big street party that unifies the city’s citizens through a procession that symbolically purifies the metropolis from the evils that have long afflicted it. The events of the party are a mix of folklore, religion,…
-
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,…
-
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…
-
When She Learned
The basilica cathedral of Maria S. S. Annunciata (the Blessed Virgin Mary) in Arcreale, Catania Province (built between the 17th and 18th centurires) … March 25 is the Feast of the Annunciation.