Blog Archives

Rituals for Good Luck: from burning branches to fireworks

Posted on 30/12/2024 (23/02/2025) by Grazia Musumeci

In a short time, the first hour of the New Year will strike, with the twelve strokes of midnight, and everyone – wherever we are, whatever our beliefs – will celebrate this event with lights, torches, fires and “firecrackers”. There’s no point in pretending… fire is fascinating. And it has always fascinated precisely because of […]

Volcanoes and mandarins: the Holy Cribs of Etna

Posted on 23/12/2024 (23/02/2025) by Grazia Musumeci

The making of nativity scene (Holy Crib) is a very ancient tradition in Sicily. One of the classic traditions that has remained most alive, ever, even resisting the “invasion” of Santa Claus and the famous Christmas tree. Once upon a time, for Sicilians, the Holy Crib was the center of the Christmas celebration – as […]

Christmas Markets in the Etna Area

Posted on 16/12/2024 (23/02/2025) by Grazia Musumeci

Etna is not only a fascinating volcano that attracts tourists from all over the world, but it is also a large mountain rich in diversity – natural and cultural – that changes with each season. And during the winter season, even on Etna, Christmas takes on an enveloping meaning. A mix of sacred, legendary and […]

Saro Ruspa: Etna’s “super hero”

Posted on 09/12/2024 (23/02/2025) by Grazia Musumeci

There are men who are born to become heroes … and when they become heroes, then they manage not to get a big head and remain the simple and genuine people they have always been. We call them “hidden angels”, we call them “mysterious Clark Kents” … in Catania, we call them like him: Saro […]

Fire celebration on Etna: St Barbara

Posted on 02/12/2024 (23/02/2025) by Grazia Musumeci

The feast of St. Barbara is important for the Etna territory because it is linked to fire, as is the memory of another saint (connected to light) Lucia. And although the patron saint of the Catania territory, and therefore also of the volcano, is actually St Agatha, St Barbara is addressed when asking for protection […]