Palermo capital of Sicily, a seething mass of contradictions. Pock-marked buildings and broken pavements reveal deep political and economic cracks , and yet all are easy to overlook when you enter a church full of luminously beautiful Byzantine pieces of art. Palermo, despite its tangible disputes, it has a unique soul. Here customs and traditions are timeless. A dynamic environment will involve you in a vibrant and lively mood. Walking through the city centre, passing by the market stalls you will e surrounded with smells, sounds and colors – typical of a Mediterranean city with a very deep and energetic soul. The city with its liveliness involves and engages. Probably the most famous example is the “Festino di Santa Rosalia”, a festival where religion and devotion celebrate the patron saint Rosalia, beloved for having saved the city from a plague I 1624. This tradition is very dear to all the people from Palermo.
The festival is a joyful celebration of life, culture and social inclusion
The festival takes place every year on July 14th , where the saint’s relics are paraded aboard a magnificent vessel-shaped chariot, richly decorated with flowers, roses angels and cherubs, from gold and baroque colors and style. The chariot is leaded in procession from the Cathedral through the Quattro Canti to the Foro Italico on the waterfront where the celebrations end in a blaze of music, colors and fireworks. Watching the people marching in procession is definitely a unique experience, where everything is framed in a typical Palermo’s scenario, with stalls selling typical local food and local products, among folklore and enthusiasm. There is a common feeling of joy and happiness, in a breathtaking emotion.
Although the festival has religious roots, it is strongly shared by the people of Palermo and the whole community. It is a festival that carries a social message. Every year different groups of people are involved in the organisation of the procession and the creation of the chariot, often assigned to students, migrants, disabled and children. This shows a perspective of a city that welcomes and includes. Anyone in Palermo on this day will feel a sense of belonging to the local community.
For those who want to discover a true side of Palermo in all its various forms and a sense of collective identity, the Festino is definitely a must!
