Page 223 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sicily

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September. In early June, the
theatre stages La Kore, the
fashion world’s equivalent of
the Academy Awards.
Each year Agrigento pays
tribute to Luigi Pirandello, the
great Sicilian novelist and
playwright. In December,
the Convegno di Studi
Pirandelliani (see p45), held at
the Centro Nazionale Studi
Pirandelliani, provides an
opportunity for students to
visit the places that inspired
him. The event includes
lectures and performances
of his plays.
You don’t need to
understand Italian to The scenic setting of a classical production at the Teatro Greco in Syracuse
appreciate a good puppet
show. Puppet theatre reached (see p45), but for a more completely on the Aeolian
the height of its popularity in authentic experience, visit the island of Salina, Michael
the mid-1800s, but there has delightful Cuticchio Puppet Radford’s poignant Il Postino
been renewed interest in this Theatre. Puppet shows can (1994) features some splendid
traditional art. Based on local also be enjoyed in Aci reale scenes shot around the village
folklore and comedy and and Syracuse. of Pollara.
usually involving one of
Charlemagne’s knights, Cinema Carnivals and Folk
Orlando, fighting the Saracens,
puppet theatre is performed At Taormina’s annual FilmFest, Festivals
throughout Sicily. movies are screened in the February is carnival time in Italy,
In Palermo the Museo ancient Greek theatre, against and this period is also celebrated
Internazionale delle the dramatic backdrop of with enthusiasm in many Sicilian
Marionette puts on inter- Mount Etna. At over 50 towns. One of the most spect-
esting tourist performances years old, this is the longest acular events is the Carnevale
and also stages an annual lasting film festival in Italy di Acireale (see p45), blending
international puppet festival after Venice. poetry, games, music, dance
Today its focus is and a procession of colourful
predominantly on new floats through the town centre.
directors and films emerging The carnival continues for a
from developing countries. number of days and on the last
Lipari, in the Aeolian Islands, night it ends with a brilliant
hosts its own film festival, Un fireworks display. The famous
Mare di Cinema, in the first Carnevale di Sciacca (see p45)
week of August. Since 1990, is symbolized by a huge puppet
directors and actors have vied and a procession of floats
for the festival’s prestigious through the town’s streets. In
Efesto d’Oro prize. the same month, the people of
Sicily is also a popular film Catania worship the memory of
location (see p28). Sicilian Sant’Agata (see p45), whose relics,
director Giuseppe Tornatore including a veil that the faithful
filmed his Academy Award- believe once shielded Catania
winning Cinema Paradiso from lava erupting out of
(1989) in Palazzo Adriano near nearby Mount Etna, are carried
Palermo, and his wartime film through the town.
Malena (2000) was also shot in In Agrigento, the imminent
various locations on the island, arrival of spring is celebrated
including Messina, Siracusa, each February with the Festa
Noto and Taormina. His film del Mandorlo in Fiore (see p45).
Baaria (2009), showcased at As the fragrant smell of almond
the Venice Film Festival, was blossom fills the air, a procession
about his hometown of makes its way to the lovely Valle
A traditional Sicilian puppet in full Bagheria and its post-war dei Templi. Coinciding with this
armoured suit history. Filmed almost is the Folklore Festival (see p45),

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