From May until the end of summer, the sacred and profane animate the communities living around Etna impregnating the air ...
Sant’Alfio and his devotees
On the slopes of the highest active volcano in Europe, where immobility and dynamism are interwoven in an eternal marriage, every day, every place needs to celebrate its Saints.
The devotees, through tears, praising the Saints loudly. (Click to view full slideshow by Vito Finocchiaro)
The "bummi", or the fireworks show. People gather in the square to watch the spectacular play of light that illuminates the sky
The devotees pull the "vara" with thick ropes. Every believer pulls the ropes shouting "Viva Sant'Affiu!"
A “nisciuta di Sant'Affiu" (the moment when the statues of the Saints come out of the Church). Many small strips of paper fly from the bell tower. On each small piece of paper is written the name of the Saints
A devotee carries a votive candle to thank the Saints. Each candle is the weight and height of the person carrying it
The festival stall. Roasted almonds and "calia and simenza" (roasted chickpeas and pumpkin seeds) are typical Sicilian specialties
Small banners with the image and the names of the three Saints hang on house walls
"U giru du Santu”. The moment in which the statues are taken in procession around the town
The gifts of the devotees are prepared to decorate the "simulacra" (statues of Saints)
The “masculari” prepare the big fireworks in a safe place away from the town
The devotees take the ropes in their hands to pull the "vara". The organiser of the festival is playing a small bell to signal that the Saints are going to leave the church
The "vara" (triumphal float) passes between the balconies of the old houses
The devotees, through tears, praising the Saints loudly. (Click to view full slideshow by Vito Finocchiaro)
On the Thursday and Friday preceding the festival, in front of houses, each family lights a small fire called "a' dera" in dialect
The big votive candles are a sign of devotion and are used to express thanks for favours received or to ask for protection
A devotee dressed in a tunic and a handkerchief, traditional costumes of this festival, is opening an altar curtain
Inside the church, devotees greet the Saints at the end of the procession
A musical band plays during the procession of the Saints through the streets of the town
Hundreds of small bonfires made with resinous wood are lit in every street
The church bells are rung by the devotees. A very long and merry chime announces the day of the feast
At dawn the old men go to the square and get ready for the celebration
