A Year of Events and Celebrations
Sicilian cities and towns schedule a large number of annual and seasonal events such as processions, pagan celebrations, religious ceremonies, religious performances in costume, feasts in costume and folk festivals, which cannot be missed.
Deeply rooted in the soul of Sicilian people, religious celebrations still keep features inherited by the ancient inhabitants of the island, such as the Byzantines and the Albanians. Besides old traditional and folkloristic performances or religious celebrations, Sicily offers a rich calendar of cultural events which originally mix classical antiquity and modern experimentation. Especially in the summer, lovers of cinema, theatre, literature, ballet and glamour will have to chance to enjoy significant events set on the background of splendid architectural and natural sceneries.
Carnival
Sicilian Carnival is first documented in Palermo (XVII-XVIII century), where celebrations included parades in elaborate baroque costumes, allegorical horse races and impromptu theatrical performances on public squares. Over the centuries, it has turned such a popular event to become a collective ritual for the population of several towns. Today, extraordinary colourful Carnival celebrations are held everywhere in Sicily.
Carnival festivals in Sciacca, Acireale, Taormina, Palazzolo Acreide, Termini Imerese, Saponara and Mezzojuso are particularly renowned.
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In Acireale, Carnival celebrations before Shrove Tuesday are marked by majestic parades of allegorical carnival floats, performances of dialectal poets referred to as “minatizzi”, cooking contests and traditional games.
In Termini Imerese, a particular ceremony takes place. A puppet filled with straw and called “u nannu” writes its last will satirizing on the most important personalities, and it is eventually burnt together with her partner, a female puppet called “la nanna”, which symbol-izes fertility.
The carnival in Sciacca dates back to XVI century, and it is very likely to stem from the Carnival in Florence, as proved by references in written documents. Over the centuries, the festival has adapted to varying historical and social contexts by continually renewing themes, performances and techniques, nonetheless preserving the distinctive features which mark it as unique to the eyes of modern spectators: wide audiences, satire drawn from the topics of current news, blame of social and economic troubles.
Today, minifloats are the essential element of Sciacca Carnival. Born in the last decade, they represent the new generation of carnival floats. Smaller than traditional carnival floats and devoid of a script, minifloats carry on the allegoric and artistic tradition of Sciacca festival. They show easier and more spontaneous subjects of decorations, coming from popular culture, and the special songs accompanying their parade are marked by idiomatic expressions of Sciacca dialect, witty remarks, anecdotes and jokes as well social and political satire.
Almond Blossom Festival in Agrigento
In Agrigento, almond trees are in bloom at the beginning of February. The city celebrates this event with an annual Festival of Folklore (lasting ten days), beginning with an inaugural torchlight procession starting from the temple of Concord, as it happened at the time of ancient Greek colonies. It features folk groups from all over the world, challenging each other in public squares and avenues with dance and music performances in traditional costumes.
Il Palio dei Normanni
This celebration recalls the successful heroic deeds of Rogier de Hauteville, who in 1071 defeated the Saracens and conquered Sicily. According to tradition, Pope Niccolò gave the Count a standard portraying the Virgin Mary with the Child, which he later donated to the citizens of Piazza Armerina. The town celebrates this event with religious and profane ceremonies from August 12th to 14th, culminating in a colourful joust on the last day.
The Cous Cous Festival in San Vito lo Capo
San Vito Lo Capo’s big heart beats a little faster when its avenues and beach are filled with the joyful crowds enjoying the couscous fest, held annually in September. This international festival has recently hosted “Luigi Veronelli” Prize – created by Class Editori and Veronelli Editore publishing houses. The Prize Committee has recently defined it “the most interesting, lively and quaint food and wine event”. [ + ]
During the years Couscous Fest has welcomed all the peoples in Mediterranean Basin, displaying their cultures and traditions side by side under the aegis of integration and tolerance, and showing their different ways of preparing couscous. Its name clearly reveals the authentic essence of this event, designed to highlight the common Mediterranean origin of this dish, which is now considered not only a gastronomic specialty, but a common ritual where the specific culture of each country express itself through the mixing of flavours and ingredients.
Although couscous is the very king of Festival, this is an occasion to celebrate Sicilian products as well. First and foremost Sicilian wine, but also olive oil and food are extolled during especially arranged evening performances of haute cuisine, nutritionists meetings and ever-popular food workshops. In addition, the Festival hosts the Couscous Live Music show, an annual ethnic music event including performances by top stars of fusion and world music.
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