The Signature | April 5, 2019

Vol. 36 No. 7

April 5, 2019

SIGONELLA WELCOMES NEW COMMANDING OFFICER Story on page 6

MWR BASE 2 BASE Sigonella runners take to the streets

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHIEFS! A blog by MCPON Russell Smith

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Direct Line NCTS Sicily Commanding Officer Cmdr. Robert Matthias

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uongiorno, Sigonella! As we head into the spring, it is a good time to recognize the growth and renewed energy surrounding us all. Just these past few weeks have been filled with Sailors’ advancements, academic inductions, COMREL events, spring sports, road racing, the Active Duty Fund Drive, the Chiefs’ birthday, and local leadership signing pledges to prevent Child Abuse and Sexual Assault. I am continually impressed by your spirit of enthusiasm, commitment, hard work, and creativity in making Sigonella a connected community. Know that any and every effort in taking care of our Sailors, Marines, Soldiers, civilians, and families contributes to both our shared values and important missions.

My command, family, and I appreciate all you do to ensure success in others.

Today, Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station (NCTS) Sicily stands as your local defenders for cyberspace operations and communications with subject matter expertise in networks, computer systems, satellite communications, cyber defense, information & knowledge management, and command and control. NCTS Sicily is expected to apply our expertise in support of maritime operations ranging from coordination with allies, to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, to defense of the Nation against terrorism, and to combat operations.

Our personnel help translate the requirements of combat forces into capabilities that effectively employ command and control at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels of war, under all conditions. Our command is responsible for the maintenance, operation, and development of cuttingedge cyberspace systems, as well as global

telecommunications and space systems that have been designed to operate under the most adverse conditions, from the deep ocean environment to outer space.

NCTS Sicily is technically adept, as well as effective communicators, able to translate complex data and system issues into operationally relevant information for naval and joint commanders.

Our Information Warfare teams plan, acquire, integrate, operate, maintain, and secure networks, communications, and combat systems that support Navy missions, and ensure they are reliable, available, survivable and secure.

We conduct defensive cyberspace operations by securing and protecting Navy information and systems from adversaries and ensuring continuity of operations and mission assurance. NCTS is essential to multi-lateral operations, driving interoperability with the other services in the Department of Defense,

“At every level, let’s engage in discussions for growth of cybersecurity awareness and readiness” other government agencies, allies, and coalition partners. We optimize naval effectiveness through the introduction of cutting edge technologies, knowledge management techniques, and a culture of innovation with continuous improvement.

I encourage those interested to read our Secretary of the Navy’s March 19 Cyber Security Readiness Review.

The review examined cybersecurity at the governance layer and identified

five critical pillars key to cybersecurity readiness: culture, people, structure, processes, and resources. The SECNAV team interviewed dozens of senior military leaders as well as CEOs and leaders from Fortune 500 companies with deep experience in implementing successful cybersecurity measures following significant incidents of their own. They identified best practices in both government and private sector organizations who are demonstrating success in contending with cyber threats.

At every level, let’s engage in discussions for growth of cybersecurity awareness and readiness. Seek out Information Warfare qualified chiefs and Sailors to learn more about this exciting profession. Challenge us with your questions and concerns.

Finally, I’ll end with a quote from Gen. Robert Neller, commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps: “If you’re asking me if I think we’re at war, I think I’d say yes…We’re at war right now in cyberspace. We’ve been at war for maybe a decade. They’re pouring oil over the castle walls every day.”

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Interactive Customer Evaluation Comment Regarding Marinai Sprinklers: The irrigation on Marinai housing needs to be modified. I run several times per week along the perimeter path before coming to work in the morning, and have been getting doused by the sprinklers.

Many sprinkler heads are literally pointing across the sidewalk, and because the berm is on one side and the fence on the other, there is nowhere to run but through them. And when I take my son in the jogging stroller, he is getting soaked, too. There is no reason for the sprinklers to be doing this.

The easy solution is to run the sprinklers in the middle of the night, before people get into their morning exercise routines. And the longer term solution is to not water the sidewalks.

The sprinkler heads should be moved and repointed, factoring in the significant winds that are present here. Not only are they soaking people, but it’s a waste of natural resources and a safety hazard with all of the slippery surfaces.

Making these improvements will make a more enjoyable and safe experience for those using the Marinai perimeter jogging path.

Response: Thank you for bringing this issue to our attention. The Housing office has contacted Pizzarotti and the issue has been corrected. It’s in our best interest to ensure all facilities and sidewalks are safe, hazard-free, and available to all Marinai residents. Pizzarotti has set the irrigation timers along the perimeter walking path to water only at night and adjusted the spray pattern to avoid watering the sidewalks.

Inspection points of walkway and common area sprinklers have also been added to ensure that they are operating only during the night and not spraying sidewalks.

The housing office is also looking at the allotted time sprinklers are on to

potentially find ways to conserve water.

For any future questions or suggestions, please feel free to directly contact Housing Director Peter Faulk at DSN 624-4070 or peter.faulk@eu.navy.mil.

Comment Regarding Parking Garage PT: Recently, someone took the time to make an ICE comment about PT being conducted on Building 414’s parking structure. Conducting PT at the unit level allows us to meet the Navy’s general requirement to three PT sessions. To rebut the comments that were made, the personnel are not interspersed between cars; this is simply not true. All Sailors that execute PT maintain a safe distance from any vehicle and others around them.

No vehicles operate in the area that this is conducted in and those that do come to park away from us and in no way danger themselves, their vehicles, or our Sailors.

When PT is conducted, sessions are 30 minutes or less. If that environment that day is not safe for training, PT is either relocated or postponed to maintain the safety and welfare of our Sailors.

PT is never executed anywhere near vehicles that transit on and off the area.

The AIMD parking structure is utilized due to the consistent booking of the NAS II turf field and gym, the only authorized locations. Reservations that are made compete with other commands on the installation, making a consistent PT schedule difficult to maintain due to the lack of facilities. For example, for the PRT to be scheduled, reservations must be made as early as January to ensure our Sailors can conduct their PRT with the equipment required to be successful. I respectfully request reconsideration of your recent policy change to allow Sailors to conduct PT at the AIMD parking structure and allow us to maintain the highest levels of physical fitness standards.

"ICE" continued on Page 11

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U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION SIGONELLA

Commanding Officer Capt. Kevin Pickard Executive Officer Cmdr. Patrick J. Moran Command Master Chief CMDCM Nancy Estrada EDITORIAL

Public Affairs Officer Lt. Karl Schonberg karl.schonberg@eu.navy.mil Assistant Public Affairs Officer Janine Scianna janine.scianna@eu.navy.mil Community Relations Officer Dott. Alberto Lunetta alberto.lunetta.it@eu.navy.mil PAO Staff Writers \ Photographers

MC2 Joshua Coté joshua.m.cote@eu.navy.mil GMSN Rashond Grant rashond.grant@navy.mil CONTACT US

Naval Air Station Sigonella, Sicily thesig@eu.navy.mil DSN 624-5440; 095-86-5440 PSC 812 Box 7, FPO, AE 09627-0001

This newspaper is an authorized publication for members of the military services overseas. Contents of The Signature are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense (DoD), or the U.S. Navy.

Editorial submissions are welcomed from all Naval Air Station Sigonella departments, divisions and tenant commands. Editorial submissions should be sent to the Public Affairs Office via thesig@eu.navy.mil. All articles submitted by non-staff members will be considered contributing writers.

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Name: ABH3 Joshua Brown Department: Operations Hometown: Ocala, Fla. Overseeing the operations of Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella, the air operations department is in charge of providing airfield, air terminal, and port operations support and facilities to U.S., NATO, and coalition forces. It takes Sailors like Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Joshua Brown to ensure that the nuts and bolts of NAS Sigonella’s operations are running smoothly and efficiently.

Brown works as one of five liaison officers in the Port Operations division, which is in charge of ensuring that ships pulling into the nearby Augusta Bay port are provided with various support services to make their time in port seamless and productive.

When U.S. Navy or NATO ships arrive, the liaisons ensure that their transiting and mooring evolutions are conducted safely.

They also brief the ship’s leadership on the various NAS Sigonella base services that are available to the ship’s crew. And they are also responsible for maintaining facilities at the port and being on call to

assist with any logistical issue that arises.

Brown attests that although he didn’t anticipate using his aircraft handling skills for port operations, he is still getting a lot out of his experience.

“I look at it as a blessing because I get to use my talent of talking to people and put it to good use,” said Brown. “I get to talk to commanding officers and build relationships.”

Beyond the technical aspects of his job, he also sees the value that he provides to the people he services.

“I love being there when a vessel comes back from being out to sea and they are itching to get off the boat,” said Brown.

“It’s nice to see their worn-out faces be so excited to finally be in port.”

Sigonella is Brown’s second tour in the Navy. His first was with the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), which he called home for five years, from 2013 to 2018. It was the first step in the grueling five-yearsat-sea, three-years-on-shore rotation that

Sailors in the ABH rate are subject to.

Brown says that although he’s enjoyed being in the Navy, he plans on joining the civilian world and continue doing port operations as a contractor. He knows that all the good relationships he’s built during his time at Sigonella will help him make that transition.

But for now, Brown is making full use of the immense travel opportunities available to him. His group of four friends routinely makes plans on or off the islands and so far, his favorites destinations have been Bucharest and the Swiss Alps.

On the horizon are trips to Portugal, Barcelona, Madrid, and Austria.

When his group travels, they tend to only spend about a day in the popular tourist area, and then either drive or take public transportation to the outskirt areas that tourists typically don’t see. Brown is hopeful that he’ll be granted an overseas tour extension so that he can continue exploring all that Sicily and Europe have to offer.

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Service members and civilians sign proclamations pledging their support in preventing sexual assault and child abuse. (Photo by GMSN Rashond Grant) Service members applaud military children as they enter school to kick off the Month of the Military Child. (Photo by Janine Scianna)

APRIL IS...

Month of the Military Child Sexual Assault and Awareness Prevention Month Child Abuse Prevention Month

NAS Sigonella CMDCM Nancy Estrada signs the Sexual Assault and Prevention Month proclamation. (Photo by GMSN Rashond Grant)

Service members applaud military children as they enter school to kick off the Month of the Military Child (Photo by Janine Scianna)

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gonella Holds Change f Command Ceremony Story by Lt. Karl Schonberg Photos by Gunner’s Mate Seaman Rashond Grant and Janine Scianna NAS Sigonella Public Affairs SIGONELLA, Italy -- Naval Air Station (NAS) Sigonella held a change of command ceremony onboard the installation April 4, 2019.

Capt. Kevin Pickard Jr. relieved Capt. Brent Trickel as the commanding officer of NAS Sigonella, often referred to as the “Hub of the Med.” Rear Adm. Rick Williamson, commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA) served as keynote speaker and praised Trickel for his hard work throughout his tenure.

“The change of command we commemorate today carries with it the same requirement to assume responsibility for what is placed in your care,” said Williamson. “Captain Brent Trickel has demonstrated that responsibility. In a challenging and demanding environment, he put his nose to the grindstone and got to work. He shouldered the burden of responsibility, accountability, and authority and led from the front.”

Trickel credited the many commands, service members, and civilians for working together to overcome some of the challenges during his tenure at NAS Sigonella.

Of one particularly challenging scenario, Trickel remarked “It was an extremely tough and frustrating dilemma, but Sigonella, your response was amazing. You could have flooded me with negativity and complaints, but you didn’t. Instead, you came together and helped each other out.”

Trickel served as the commanding officer of NAS Sigonella since May 2016 and will report to the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in April 2019.

During his command tour at NAS Sigonella, he successfully led the installation during its support to Operations Dynamic Manta and

Odyssey Resolve which highlighted NAS Sigonella’s role as a primary logistical base.

Also during his tenure, NAS Sigonella served as the operational base for the 2017 G7 Summit and the location for President Donald J. Trump’s first public address directly to the military. NAS Sigonella was awarded first place in the EURAFSWA Energy “Biggest Loser” contest for three years running and won the Capt. Edward F. Ney Award for the Small Ashore galley category two out of the past three years.

NAS Sigonella supports European Command, Navy Central Command, Africa Command, U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet units, and NATO forces in the Mediterranean.

Pickard said he looked forward to commanding the “Hub of the Med” and highlighted the importance of the base.

“The deploying and tenant commands that we support from Sigonella are literally on the front lines of the defense to both our nation and our fellow alliance partners,” said Pickard. “Although a defining characteristic may be our geographic location, our strength resides in our people, the Sailors, soldiers, airmen, and Marines and dedicated civilians who serve on this base.”

NAS Sigonella is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to be when and where they are needed to ensure security and stability in Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia.

For more news from NAS Sigonella follow the command Facebook page at www.facebook. com/nassigonella or visit www.cnic.navy. mil/regions/cnreurafswa/installations/ nas_sigonella.html or find us on search engines by searching “NAS Sigonella.”

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Ancient Spanish Easter Celebrations Come Back to Life in Enna

By Alberto Lunetta NAS Sigonella Public Affairs

Easter Week in Sicily, known locally as “Settimana Santa,” is one of the most intense religious times of the year. Nearly all cities and towns hold solemn, sorrowful, and joyful processions celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Similar to Easter traditions across the island, Enna’s Easter week reaches its peak on Easter Sunday, April 21. But before that, the city organizes a mournful procession known as “Venerdì Santo” (Good Friday), the day of penitence which evokes the death of Jesus on the cross.

The Settimana Santa tradition comes from Sicily’s Spanish heritage. At first, during the Middle Ages, Easter celebrations were only held inside churches and mainly consisted of liturgical observances and ritual functions. But during the 16th and 17th centuries, Catholic authorities decided to openly recruit members of the public, in order to teach believers about the Passion of Christ and His Resurrection. To do so, colorful, spectacular, and solemn processions and religious dramas began to be performed in cities’ historic centers.

Skilled artists and craftsmen carved life size wooden figures depicting Jesus, the Virgin Mary, saints, and religious objects that were displayed during Palm Sunday and Good Friday processions.

Participating in modern day commemorations will feel like traveling back in time when the Spaniards ruled Sicily. You will be impressed with the splendor of the traditional costumes, the decorations, and the intensity of the

Sigonella Army Volunteers Donate Books to Catania Students

devotees. Every year, thousands of pilgrims swarm Enna to see hooded devotees belonging to different cities’ “Confraternite” (confraternities), walking slowly in CATANIA, Sicily - On March 26, a group of U.S. Army volunteers from procession through Sigonella visited the Catania Istituto San Giovanni Bosco School to the streets of the deliver several boxes of books for children. Volunteers, who adopted historic center. the school a few months ago, also conducted a language interaction session aimed at helping the students improve their English speaking City bands playing and listening skills. The books were donated by the base DoDEA school mournful melodies and included a wide variety of English titles for middle and elementary accompany them. school students. The ongoing initiative has provided a great opportunity Confraternities to strengthen the friendship between the Sigonella volunteers and the are religious clubs students. resembling medieval guilds and date back to the period the 24 symbols of Jesus’ martyrdom. of Spanish rule. Over the centuries, The procession leaves the Church of these brotherhoods promoted and Saint Leonardo and as the confraternity organized their city’s religious and proceeds along via Roma, the other charitable activities. In the past, they fourteen Confraternite join to include over played a leading role in the social life 2,500 people, until they reach the Church of the town by providing spiritual and of Our Lady of Sorrows where a statue material assistance to the poor, sick, or depicting the Virgin Mary is preserved. incarcerated. In 1740, there were 34 Then, her statue is taken to the cathedral confraternities who usually were miners where an urn containing a statue of the or farmers. Today, there are only 16 and crucified Christ was previously placed. they include men belonging to all ranks 1900: The procession leaves the cathedral and classes of society. The color of their and reaches the Church of St. Paolini dresses and mantels worn during the where a benediction is given with the processions has a particular meaning Reliquary cross, which, according to the related either to their own patron saint or tradition contains a thorn from the crown to the role that they played in the past. of Christ. Eventually, the procession returns to the Cathedral around midnight.

Procession Schedules Easter Sunday (April 21) Good Friday (April 19) 0700: Pasqua is celebrated with several 1500: Unveiling of the Holy Cross holy masses at the church of S. Salvatore and Eucharist at the Enna Cathedral 1630: Processions begin with the "ITALIAN NEWS" continued on Page 11 “Confraternity of the Passion” carrying

April 5, 2019

Happy 126th Birthday Chiefs – Chief On!

in collegial fashion to stitch the disparate Shortly before the USS Cole was attacked, parts of our Navy together, to leverage she got underway for deployment with an the power of our Mess to make the Navy entirely enlisted Bridge Watch Team — In the beginning there was no birthday, greater than the sum of our parts. proving that crew’s mettle and ultimately no Mess, no initiation process. There were We should take the opportunity to enabling those who survived the initial only Sailors, salty with experience and a attack to save their ship and their shipmates. reflect on where this latest year of growth deep conviction to bridge the gap between and development has taken us, and as a We have enlisted performing in a myriad the vision their officers had and the Sailors Mess decide how to best calibrate and of ways that those “old salts” sitting who executed the mission. Recognizing a align ourselves to the true north of our around and sharing information in those seam, Chief Petty Officers were created to famous photos from the late 1800s could forebearers — making those who sailed provide the kind of pragmatic leadership before us proud of the legacy of selfless, never have imagined. And yet, as a Mess, and guidance that enlisted Sailors could uncelebrating service they entrusted to our mission remains the same — bound understand and relate to, enabling our us. Every day we walk aboard our ship, genetically to our core responsibility Navy to move forward as the operating squadron, station or unit we should feel within the Navy to primarily represent the environment began to evolve beyond the an unabated sense of urgency to prove our equity of experience. Technical experts, simple age of sail and traditional Sailor skills. knowledgeable and learned in the nuances value and serve our Sailors, to realize our Over the years our Mess has grown and strengths, and then humbly yet confidently of our trade, operators who guide both the adapted to both the operating environment young Sailors we are charged with preparing wield that influence and knowledge to of our vessels and the Sailors who choose prepare our Sailors for combat — and for combat, as well as those young Officers our way of life. Over successive generations, whose lead we will follow in combat. lead them to victory once it begins. our Sailors have become smarter, more fit At the end of today, and at the end A special faith and trust has been and a better demographic representation of every day, I would ask each of you reposed in us as we occupy this unique of the Nation we serve. We began as the — as I ask of myself — to spend a few and unparalleled strata of leadership — sole purveyors of experience, the ones moments in quiet contemplation on those other services and other nations have you needed to hear from before tackling expectations levied upon us. To ask, as senior enlisted leaders, but the United any complex deckplate evolution — the in that penultimate moment of “Saving States Navy Chief Petty Officers are cut lessons of sweat and blood were “our” from a different cloth, raised to perform Private Ryan” — did I “earn this?” currency, our relevance, and we taught many a junior Sailor and many a junior Officer how to avoid the worst mistakes and safely navigate to mission success.

In turn, Chief Petty Officers have found greater opportunity, and a corresponding desire by the Navy to fold Chief Petty Officers into more complex roles of leadership and management. In 1958, the pay grades of E8 and E9 were created to specifically retain the talent and expertise that was deemed crucial to the future success of our Navy; less than a decade later, Master Chief Gunner’s Mate Del Black would become the first Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, signaling a level of leadership and Navy-wide involvement that just 30 years before could not possibly have been SIGONELLA, Sicily (April 1, 2019) Members of the Naval Air Station Sigonella Chiefs’ Mess pose for a conceived of. Chief Petty Officers raised group photo as part of the 126th Chief Petty Officer Birthday celebration, April 1, 2019. NAS Sigonella is an operational ashore base that enables U.S., allied, and partner nation forces to be when and where the bar, elevated the game and catapulted our Navy towards new and greater success. they are needed to ensure security and stability in Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia. (U.S. Navy photo

By Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russell Smith

by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Josh Coté/Released)

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Runners Come Out for Annual Base 2 Base Run

By MC2 Josh Coté

course, which started in front of the NAS II fitness center and finished at NAS II Midtown.

NAS Sigonella Public Affairs The other 38 runners chose the half marathon, SIGONELLA, Sicily – Military members which started out with a loop around the NAS and civilians of all ages participated in the II flight line before continuing toward NAS I. annual Base-to-Base run held at Naval Air “The run is a good way to promote fitness Station (NAS) Sigonella March 23. in the Sigonella community with a unique The run is the largest road race put on by challenge,” said MWR fitness specialist Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) each Cassy Milbourne. “There aren’t many areas year. There were two options for runners—a you can run in Sicily and this event allows half marathon (13.1 miles) and the regular and encourages people to run a route we Base-to-Base run, which was 7.6 miles. Out of drive almost daily. The distance is far but 230 total runners, 192 chose the Base-to-Base

the task is accepted by many, and it is a huge accomplishment once completed.”

Putting on this event was no small feat for MWR—a lot of hard work and preparation went into it.

“This event is extremely complex and encompasses many elements,” said Milbourne. “It was a huge success this year, and we have to thank all 50+ volunteers, NAS Sigonella security, safety, and our Italian security liaisons as well as all of the MWR departments involved.”

April 5, 2019 "ITALIAN NEWS" cont’d from Page 8

1800: A “Paci” (peace) ceremony symbolizing the encounter of resurrected Christ with the Virgin Mary begins. Two statues depicting Jesus and his mother are from the churches of S. Salvatore and S. Giuseppe to piazza Mazzini, where the Paci is staged. As soon as Christ appears, the black veil covering the statue of the Lady of Sorrows comes down. At that point, the statues run towards each other and later are taken inside the Cathedral.

For more information, detailed schedules and guided tours’ opportunities, visit www.settimanasantaenna.it.

Traditional Sicilian Easter Cakes

By Alberto Lunetta NAS Sigonella Public Affairs According to tradition, holy Easter week in Sicily is celebrated with traditional cakes, which are still prepared according to ancient recipes. These cakes, like other Sicilian holiday traditions, symbolically "ICE" cont’d from Page 3

Response: Thank you for your suggestion. I am always happy to hear about units taking PT safety seriously. However, the wellbeing of all personnel is paramount, and the fact remains that the AIMD parking garage (Bldg. 414) has too much traffic to allow for safe training. The ban on training in the AIMD parking structure (Bldg. 414) is necessary to prevent a potentially dangerous situation from developing, for those training and drivers alike. The upper floors of the other NAS II parking garage located next to NEX mini-mart can be used for PT. As a reminder, up to four groups may reserve the NAS II turf field at one time, which allows for multiple commands to conduct PT simultaneously. Please call the NAS II Fitness Center at DSN 624-5243 to make a reservation. Also, there are facilities you can reserve for PT on NAS I in addition to the NAS II facilities you mention.

These options should help alleviate the scheduling situation you describe.

embody with their shapes and ingredients the religious meaning of the holiday.

The basic ingredients of the cakes are eggs, flour, marzipan, and ricotta cheese. In Christianity, the egg symbolizes Jesus’ victory over the dead.

The pastry’s shapes are tied to Christian icons like the lamb or dove. The lamb, one of the most important cake shapes because it represents the resurrection of Jesus, is known in Sicilian as “agneddu pasquali.” It is made of marzipan and the lamb stands in a meadow holding a red paper flag, which symbolizes the banner of the resurrection. Around the meadow are decorations of pearls of sugar and fruit, recalling the newborn spring season. You can find all kinds of lamb cakes displayed in the windows of the Sicilian patisseries.

The “colomba” is another traditional dove-shaped Easter cake that is made from flour, butter, and eggs and covered with a glaze of hazelnuts, almonds, and sugar. The dove recalls the first Christian symbols painted in the catacombs.

Another traditional Easter cake is the

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“cassata.” It is thought that the name comes from the Arabic word “quas’at,” which has two different meanings: round bowl (due to the original shape) or cheesecake. The cassata is made with ricotta cheese and marzipan. It is more richly decorated with candied fruits in Palermo than in other Sicilian cities.

Not to be missed are two other typical cakes: “cassateddi” and “cuddura ccu l’ova.” Cassateddi are small sweets usually shaped as a half moon. The dough is filled with ricotta, deep-fried, and then topped with sugar frosting. A “cuddura” is a ring-shaped cake with eggs placed on top of it. Its composition is a means of communicating respect toward a family. The number of eggs it contains and its overall size indicates the degree of devotion that the giver wants to express.

Chocolate eggs with a surprise inside has recently become very popular. One of the traditions that is becoming common is to buy a precious jewel and have it placed, by the factory, inside a chocolate egg.