And then of course, there are annual and biannual commemorations for deities and patron saints throughout the region that include everything from making ritual breads for Saint Joseph and Saint Blaze and decorating the streets with linens and flowers for the Pentecost, for just two examples, to processions for feasts recognizing Easter, the Madonna, Christ,…
Tag: festival
Celebrating The Madonna On September 8
September 8 is considered the birthday of the Blessed Mother by the Catholic Church. As a result, throughout Sicily this weekend, there are festivals to celebrate the Madonna. It’s not clear why this date was officially chosen as such; however, because this time of the agricultural year is traditionally a major harvest season, for centuries…
Noto’s 2019 Infiorata: Sicilians In America
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.
Ancient Meets Contemporary
Quattro Canti, where the four ancient quarters of Palermo meet at the intersection of Via Maqueda and Corso Vittorio Emanuele, is also known as Teatro del Sole. As you can see from this photo by my cousin Filippo Buttitta, throughout each day and throughout each season, the sun lights up the statues on the four…
Sicily Is Blooming
Today marks the start of the 73rd Sagra del Mandorlo (Almond Blossom Festival) in Agrigento. Thanks to my cousin Filippo Buttitta for this photo, taken in 2016.
Calatafimi Segesta Festival
The 50th Anniversary of the Calatafimi Segesta Festival “Dionisiache” is happening now through September 3. This breathtaking 3rd century B.C. amphitheater on top of Monte Bàrbaro is hosting everything from ancient Greek works like Antigone and new plays such as Shakespeare in Brexit to symphony concerts and jazz. Just add cushions and it’s showtime!
Ready for Business
Vendor set up to receive customers during the September Feast for the Madonna della Tagliata, Castelvetrano (Trapani)
Colors in Noto Upclose
One of this year’s flower carpets from Noto’s Infiorata up close. (Photo by Experience Sicily’s local guide Sebastiano Garifo)
Dreams and Colors in Noto
This weekend is the 38th annual Infiorata di Noto, or Noto Flower Festival. This year’s theme is “Sogni e colori del Principato di Monaco” or “Dreams and Colors of Monaco.” Over the last two days, along the Baroque town’s via Nicolaci, different art-school groups have been laying out their mosaic designs of flower petals and…
Dress for Success
This weekend in the southeastern Sicilian town of Pachino, they are celebrating the “Inverdurata di Pachino,” a festival that features local agricultural production. In this case, it is their renowned sweet cherry tomatoes–here used to create a dress along with orange, lemon, cucumbers, and onion slices (there may be some celery and zucchini mixed in…