Italian News

Against the backdrop of Mt. Etna and the Baroque churches, the elaborate Easter drama “Diavolata,” which dramatizes the eternal fight between good and evil, will be performed twice on Easter Sunday in front a crowd of hundreds of pilgrims and visitors on April 21 in Adrano.

(Photo by Salvatore Caruso)

Easter Drama to be Staged in Adrano

By Alberto Lunetta\NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

The eternal conflict between the forces of good and the evil is the theme of the “Diavolata” (devil), an 18th century spectacular religious drama held in the town of Adrano, located northwest of Catania in the foothills of Mt. Etna. The drama is presented in the Sicilian language and is staged twice on Easter Sunday (April 21) at noon and 2030.

The performance is held in piazza Umberto, the square located between the Norman castle and the cathedral. The main characters of the drama include five devils, the soul (represented by a little girl), the death (an actor wearing a skeleton costume), and the angel (represented by a little boy). The characters engage in fights and arguments. In the background of the stage, a devil face and an empty grave are displayed. Smoke is given off during the performance.

The drama is a metaphor for how Christ rescued mankind from the original sin. Even though the devils and death are terrified by the resurrection of Christ, they still try to convince mankind, by any means necessary, to give up Jesus’ salvation. At that point Gabriel, the archangel, storms the scene and defeats the forces of evil by symbolically breaking the bow held by the death in two. Gabriel also forces them to pronounce the prayer that proclaims, “Viva Maria, la speranza dell’uomo!” (Long live to the Virgin Mary, the hope of mankind). This invocation ends the performance.

Following the Diavolata, the “Angelicata” (angel) performance is held. A background displaying heaven replaces the previous ominous setting of the stage. This play represents the meeting between the Virgin Mary and Christ, who are surrounded by angels and saints. This meeting seals the triumph of good over evil. An amazing firework show ends the drama. For more info visit the Adrano tourist Office Facebook page: www. facebook.com/pages/category/ Organization/Pro-Loco-Adrano-1628472367369322/

Holy Week in Caltagirone

Similar to the rest of the Catholic world, the celebrations of “Settimana Santa” (Holy Week) in Sicily combine spirituality and tradition. In Caltagirone, “Pasqua” (Easter) is a major event. In this town known for its beautiful ceramics, processions and “passion plays” have been passed along from generation to generation. Townspeople still attend these celebrations with genuine dedication. The austerity and mournful nature of this period of austerity, penitence, and fasting is a ritual of the devotees who spiritually and physically participate in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. Caltagirone Easter celebrations include processions, religious dramas, art exhibitions, holy masses, and concerts. They center around three main events: the “Passione di Cristo” (Passion of Christ), the “Processione del Cristo Morto” (Dead Christ Procession), and A Giunta (The Reunion).

Passione di Cristo, which was performed on Palm Sunday, is a sacred play that brings to life Jesus Christ’s tragic last days. This rappresentazione (performance), which has been held since 1994, is performed by townspeople who become actors for this special occasion. In re-enacting the passion and death of Christ, these believers take pride in keeping alive a tradition that has a strong religious meaning to all the community.

On Good Friday (April 19), a day of mourning is marked by solemn observations in memory of Jesus’ crucifixion. At 1830, the Processione del Cristo Morto, which leaves from the San Giuliano Cathedral, is held through the streets of the city center. During this solemn and gloomy procession, hundreds of devotees accompany the sculptures of Jesus Christ (the Cataletto, a wooden life-size sculpture depicting the dead Christ that is preserved inside a glass urn) and the grieving Virgin Mary that is dressed in mourning.

Among the Good Friday processions held throughout Sicily, Caltagirone’s procession is the only one in which the statues are still carried on the shoulders of the devotees. This is not an easy task as the statues are very heavy and holding them requires a continuous rotation of devotees. Typically, the “penitent” bearer is usually someone who has had a recent death in the family or wants to express his devotion to Jesus’ agony through his own physical suffering. In the evening, Good Friday mourning closes with a choral concert at the Chiesa del Collegio at 2100.

On Easter Sunday (April 21) at 1600, A Giunta begins along via San Pietro, in the city’s historic center. This spectacular religious drama features three statues depicting Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and Saint Peter. It consists of a series of scenes illustrating St. Peter’s announcement of Jesus’ resurrection to the Virgin Mary, the ensuing meeting between the Virgin Mary and Jesus, and their sorrowful final separation. The play begins with a 10-foot tall papiermâché statue of St. Peter wandering around the crowd of devotees in search of the Virgin Mary to announce the resurrection of her beloved son. Then, the meeting of the Virgin Mary and Christ takes place between piazza Loggia and via Luigi Strurzo. The black mantle that covers the Virgin Mary as sign of mourning falls after seeing her risen son, and a blue and white dress replaces it to express her joy. During the scene, townspeople express their joy by shouting “Viva Maria!” (Long live the Virgin Mary). Meanwhile, two surprised Roman soldiers named Cicchittu and Nancittu, who surround Christ, also witness the miracle.

After that, the procession moves to piazza Marconi, where the “spartenza” (separation) takes place. Eventually, the Virgin Mary bows three times to Jesus and bids him farewell. To conclude the celebrations of Christ’s resurrection, an Easter concert will be performed in piazza Municipio at 1900.

Complementing the Easter celebrations, several art exhibitions will be hosted in the main historic buildings and public gardens of the center. For more detailed information and opening hours visit www. facebook.com/tourismcaltagirone.