Viva San Giorgio!

Buona sera amici. I would like to start this new blog post by sending my thoughts and prayers out to those affected by the tragic earthquake that struck Emilia Romagna yesterday. To suffer again only ten days after the last earthquake hit the region is terrible and I am sure that you all join me in sending out our sincere condolences to the families of the victims.

On the last Sunday in May every year there is a spectacular feast day held in Ragusa dedicated to the Patron Saint of Ragusa Ibla - St. George or San Giorgio. This year it will actually be held on the 3rd June but the celebrations last across the whole weekend.

The Cathedral of San Giorgio is a beautiful example of Baroque architecture and is characterised by its ornate facade featuring 250 steps and enormous intricate columns. Each evening throughout the celebrations this Cathedral, or Duomo, will be spectacularly lit up and in the Piazza Duomo there will be live events and music bands.

On the Sunday of the 'festa', the statue of San Giorgio, which was sculpted by the Palermitan Rosario Bagnasco in the second half of the 19th century, is paraded through the streets of Ragusa Ibla on the shoulders of devotees. This is followed by a marching band and hundreds of the town's residents and Sicilians who come to Ragusa for the celebrations. When the procession is over, there is a spectacular firework display in the Piazza Duomo which is famous for its elaborate exhibition and magnificent colours that light up the night.

If you won't make it to these wonderful celebrations, take a look at the beautiful video below to see what it is that attracts devotees from across the island -

You can read more about Ragusa on my website - http://www.sicilianconnections.com/?c=8310.

A presto, amici!

Debra

www.sicilianconnections.com

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