Colors of Sicily - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Cultural traditions of Sicily represent a unique phenomenon, which has found expression in the most interesting folk festivals and customs. During the year, the island celebrates a variety of festivals dedicated to numerous saints and the patron of the city. Locals also honor important historical events and organize interesting secular celebrations. A true symbol of the island became a holiday called Carretto Siciliano, the name of which literally translates as ‘The Sicilian cart.’

Main events of the holiday are colorful parades that resemble theatrical performances. In evenings during the festival, dances are arranged; squares and gardens are transformed into colorful dance floors. Travelers who want to appreciate the beauty of local traditions are sure to visit the Sicilian puppet theater presentation of Opera dei Pupi that is shown during all major national celebrations.

Locals are very welcoming to visitors from other countries, so during national celebrations tourists always feel themselves at home. Those interested in the local culture and customs would be treated with courtesy; they would be guests of honor on any celebration. Dates of many celebrations vary from year to year, so it’s better to specify them in advance. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Tourists who visit Sicily in July should definitely have a journey Palermo. At this time, locals celebrate St. Rosalia’s Day; she is the patron of the city. The holiday is full of interesting old customs and ceremonial rituals. During Holy Week beautiful celebrations are held in almost all cities and towns of the island. One of the most beautiful events is held in Caltanissetta; it is the Vare procession.

The most interesting holiday of February is the Carnival, which is celebrated in Acireale. This colorful and noisy celebration would be interesting for both adults and children. As for less significant and large-scale events, then they are represented by numerous fairs and gastronomic festivities. They are held on the island all year round, so fans of shopping and gastronomic tourism certainly won’t be bored.

One of the most interesting festivals of this kind is the Ottobrata Zafferanese event, which is traditionally held in Catania sometime in October. Every year, hundreds of thousands of event tourism enthusiasts come here from all over the world to participate in it. The peculiarity of this festival is that it is divided into several sub-events, each of which is dedicated to a specific product. There is the honey festival, the festival of Etna apples, a mushroom fest, an event dedicated to grape harvesting and winemaking, as well as a chestnut event. Another interesting feature of this festival is the fact that you can get acquainted with the traditional methods of making culinary delights and handicraft products, which have now been replaced by machine production. In addition, there are also interesting ongoing thematic tours, film screenings, conferences, and discussions – here are a few reasons for you to visit the event.

Those that have a craving for sugar will be glad to visit Sicily, precisely the city of Modica (near Ragusa), during the celebration of the Chocomodica festival, which falls on the beginning of December. The traditions of making chocolate here seem to be passed on from infancy – the locals still employ the old method of production, which makes the delicacy unique. During the festival, visitors can not only enjoy the magic taste of chocolate but also listen to music and attend cultural events (for example, thematic excursions) held under the umbrella of the event. In late June, lovers of Mediterranean cuisine will be fascinated when they visit Trapani, where the festival dedicated to tuna and Sicilian cuisine in general, is held. Master classes are also conducted on the selection and preparation of fish. There are as well tastings and thematic excursions. All these, however, are only a small part of what is offered to visitors during the festival.

Another festival that will delight candy lovers, takes place in early or mid-September in Cefalu. It is dedicated to ice cream and is called Sherbeth. Besides the “subject of the occasion”, you can try the traditional delicacy “granita” during the event. The end of the month is the time for marking the Cous Cous Fest in San Vito Lo Capo, where you can enjoy traditional Italian dishes prepared by the best chefs from all over the country. Honey lovers (for which the region is famous) will appreciate Ragusa at the Scale del Gusto festival, which takes place in mid-October. At this time, all products are prepared mainly with honey without deviating from the traditions of production. Mid-October is also the time to harvest grapes and produce wine from it. As already noted, Ottobrata is the largest festival of its kind. It is held throughout the island.

Gastronomic festivals are held not only in summer and autumn but also in winter and spring. These seasons are also suitable for gourmets. Consequently, February in Sicily is the perfect time to enjoy granita, melons, almonds, as well as tangerines. This can be done, for example, at the colorful festival dedicated to almond, in Agrigento (Sagra del Mandorlo in Fiore ad Agrigento). The event is accompanied by an interactive program, colorful processions, exhibitions, and cultural performances. Since the holiday also marks the beginning of spring, the Miss Spring contest is held at this time. It is worth visiting Cassibile or Buscemi in April – especially for fans of strawberries or ricotta respectively. A large-scale farm holiday also takes place at this time in Pachino.

Among the other outstanding events that are held on the Italian island, it is worth pointing out the festival, Infiorata di Noto, held in late-May. The most popular place in the city of Noto is via Nicolaci Street, where at this time the masters make incredible floral arrangements (the so-called “flower carpet”) and thus create a festive mood. What is more, you can see and understand the basics of floristics from the work of masters and at the master classes held during the event. The festival ends with a contest for the best flower arrangement. The Taormina Film Fest, one of the oldest film events in all of Italy, is popular among film fans. It features open-air film transmissions organized in the antique cinema Teatro Antico di Taormina. The festival is worth attending at least for the sake of experiencing such film screening, not to mention the fact that you can often meet bright movie stars here.

Another bright carnival that will amaze guests of Sicily takes place in late February or mid-March in Sciacca. The peculiarity of this colorful festival is that at the head of the procession you can see Peppe Nappa – the King of Carnival, whose costume is made from papier-mâché. Like the three wise men during the celebration of Epifania, he throws treats into the crowd – only instead of candies, there are sausages, drinks, and sweets. In addition to the cheerful parade, guests of the city will be able to enjoy live music right on the streets. There will be colorful fireworks, art installations, and a gastronomic program as well. The apogee of the festival is the burning of stuffed Peppe Nappa. This is however not because people do not like him. On the contrary – the tradition is akin to throwing a coin into a fountain – it is believed that only then will your wish come true or you will return here the following year.

Syracuse is famous for its beautiful landmark, Anfiteatro Romano. At the end of May as well as the beginning of June, it is presented not only as a landmark place but also as a venue for the Festival del Dramma Antico a Syracuse. Classic plays about ancient heroes such as Odyssey and Oedipus are staged here. The beginning of the third summer month is the time of music lovers. This is so because it is at this time in the city of Castelbuono that the Ypsigrock festival is held outdoors. The fest is dedicated to rock, especially indie rock. The venue of the event is Castello di Castelbuono’s ancient castle, which adds even more charm to the musical event. Among its headliners are well-known acts in the world of rock music, as well as musicians who work “to the fullest” or “si impegnano al massimo”, as they would say here on the island.

Among the religious holidays in Sicily, Easter (Pasqua) is especially respected, during which bright events with scenes from the Bible take place in different parts of the island. In Trapani for example, you can witness a parade led by a participant depicting Jesus Christ led to Golgotha, while in Ispica a plot from the procession is usually a scene of the resurrection of the son of God, and in Prizzi, Easter is celebrated in an original fashion, with participants gathering on the central streets of the city, dancing “Ballo dei diavoli” (“dance of the devils”). In any case, Easter is a favorite holiday of the locals, at which time you can get acquainted with the traditional dishes of the island, listen to musical concerts, watch theatrical shows, as well as enjoy the fireworks, which mark the end of the celebration.

The Feast of the Assumption, or Ferragosto, which falls on the eve of August 14th-15th, is celebrated by local cheerfully and with lots of enthusiasm. The beaches are packed to capacity since at this time guests from all over Italy, as well as from other countries arrive on the coast (August is considered the “month of holidays” for the Italians). In addition to a beach holiday, there are fun games with water pouring, colorful fireworks, as well as thematic religious performances – but in the traditional style of serene Sicily, with a great deal of fun as well. Christmas holidays are also popular. Musical concerts are organized in large cities, shops are decorated with “presepe”, and fairs with local delicacies are opened in the central streets of the city, thanks to which a real festive mood is created. There is also not forgetting the traditional “opera dei puppi”.