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Do you know that ...? (.... some Sicily curiosity ...)
Emilio Greco: the forgotten sculptor
Emilio Greco, one of the greatest XXth century Italian sculpture, was born in Catania on 11th October 1913. He lived his youth in Catania, leaving poems and autobiographical books in which tells of a city no more existing. Turi Finocchiaro Restaurant in front of Machiavelli Theatre (in which Giovanni Grasso and Angelo Musco exibhited), Villa Daisy, of whom owner the artist took his name, and the mother's house in Via Daniele, fragrant with gelsomino, are pure poetry that relives in his pages.
Greco worked at San Giovanni Li Cuti in a studio in front of the sea. A poem remembers: "... glitter the Mongibello's sciare (lava) ran over from the marosi (waves) of the Jonio wind shining" ...<... this is the way I see my sea, this is the way I dream about it...>
He voyaged all over the world. He was in Persia, Greece, Japan, Russian, leaving his memories in his words and statues. Teached at Monaco, Salisburgo, Rome, Naple and Ferrara. His sculptures are in the main world museum: National Modern Art Gallery in Rome, Tate Gallery in London, Museč National d'Art Moderne at Paris, Hermitage in Sanpietroburgo, Puskin Museum in Mosca, and "Greco Garden" (1800 mq permanent exposition in Hakone "Open Air Museum" - Japan), and then Tokyo, Orvieto, Prato, .... are just some of the places which holden his works.
He made Orvieto Duomo's Doors and Pinocchio Monument in Collodi Park: "When I received the notice of national competion for Pinocchio monument[...] leaved it on the table and forgot". The same year he was in the examining board at Carrara Sculpture Academy. Here his collegues urged him to present a work. "In the afternoon, during the return voyage I remembered all the characters. [...] "When the train stopped at Pisa [...] I thought at the fairy and the puppet in catarsy moment; a romantic meeting such as a dance in whic the puppet stopped all its bad actions and becomes a boy" "I hadn't any paper and so I drawed the image behind an envelope. That's the definitive project. I have never changed it. (E. Greco - Lo Jonio corrusco di vento).
He made also Pope Giovanni XXIIIrd Monument, pleased "for the human affection" the man inspiring, flattered it was destinated to San Pietro Church in Rome.
He loved Palermo more than his born town, "... for its gardens and the air smelling Eastern atmospheare ...".
In Catania he received just one prize at the end of '70s "Solemare". Just in 1982 was carried out an exposition in Ursino Castle.
Nowaday in his home town there is just the "Emilio Greco Museum" . Located in San Francesco d'Assisi Square it's often closed.
The bitternes for the respectless from his inhabitants was with him till the end.
"Not one of the recognitions in his studio came from his land, that land he had loved and still loved silently" (Alfio Spadaro) " ... There are no measure in catanesi's respect, they love you, or they tell you are "longu ammatulu", that is like to say useless man".
If you don't know it, read "Lo Jonio Corrusco di Vento" by Emilio Greco. You will find in its pages the nostalgy for a past world and you will discover nearby the sculptor the man.
"... Tate Gallery Director, Sir John Rothenstein, wanted to buy the "Figura Seduta" (Sitting Figure) for his museum; wonderful, but a school professor wanted to buy the same bronze, paying with montly instalments. Free to choose I prefer the teacher request, ... ".*
Greco died in Rome on 4th April 1995, the town in which he lived since 1943.
*All the news selected, also where it is not specified, comes from: E. Greco - "Lo Jonio corrusco di vento" - APSA 8 - Roma 1980 (Translation by M. Virgillito)
On 6th January in Bordonaro (a country in Messina district) carries out a feast of anthropological value: ” ’U Pagghiaru”. In the main square of the down town is prepared a wooden structure with a pattern like spokes radiating from the centre (called a crucera), put up on a perch, covered with acacia leaves and decorated with circular “azimo” breads, lemons, oranges, colored disk-shaped tiny cardboard and cotton wool bows. On the top a cross profusely decorated.
On 6th January evening, after the blessing the “Pagghiaru” is held from young people. The first reaching the top is taken in triumph, the others tear down the gifts from the tree at those present, such as a redistribution of the goods with a wishing value. At the end of the night the pantomime of the “Cavvadduzzu e l’Omu Sabbaggiu” (a fight between two disguised persons one representing an horse, the nature, the other the man symbolizing the human kind) and fireworks.
Inhabitants always tell that the structure represents a shepherd refuge and not a Christmas tree, but its origin dates back at winter solstice rites, performed by the sacrificial rite the “Pagghiaru” stands.
Anciently in the Tree Worship the Fir was the tree of the Nativity, at whom was dedicated the day after the mournful 23rd December, the Winter Solstice day, in which the night won over the day and life. The day after, 24th was the Birth day, the day of the Fir, the tree gaved at men from the gods, symbol of immortality. That’s the reason why was planted at the birth of every child (Nowadays instead people use to present a pear tree at the parents in England, cause it will grow up with the baby).
Agata is Catania protector saint. Her feast is known in the whole world. What people doesn't find out is that antropologically the feast is joined with Iside Cult. In ancient time the Feruculo had the shape of a ship, remembering the voyage untertook by Iside, seeking for her husband, and maybe that's also the reason why Cathedral was directed from West to East. That's infact the direction the goddess followed, going Nilo River up searching for Osiride. Iside Cult was diffused in the whole Sicily. In Madonie Mountain (Palermo) there is still a town called Polizzi, whose name results from the greek Polis Isidis, that is to say "The city of Iside"...
Most famous Catania symbol is the Lavic Elephant in Duomo Square (U Liotru), but there were others. For Norman Catania symbol was Saint Giorgio, and the element which better represents the town is a magical egyptian holy bird: the phoenix, which reborn from its ashes. Catania was buried and destroyed from lava, or sisma 9 times, and for 9 times was rebuilt in the same place. That's a miracle ...
Cosmic egg and water in sicilian tradition
Water and eggs are always present on sicilian tables. It's joined to Pelasgi culture and a meaning of borning life and fertilization strenght. For that reason we threw moneys in water. In ancient times near divinities temple shepherds and followers left fruit and food like offers, so god bless reached the earth giving plenty of fruits, and a good prosperous year.
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...the legend tells that San Benedetto Church' Arc in Via Crociferi, was built just in one night in 1704
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... Castello Ursino (built between 1239 and 1250 by architect Riccardo da Lentini) wasn't erected by Giant Orisni (never existed) or Orsini family. Its name derives from latin because it was on the beach it was called Castrum Sinus, thta is to say "Beach Castle". In local language it became Castrussinu, and then Castello Ursino.
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... the peace at war between Angioini and Aragonesi was signed on 8th september 1347 in Ursino Castle, but the pope was absent, and so the war went on for other 25 years and finally the peace was signed at Avignone in 1372 . . .
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... when the Italy became a Nation, in 1861 new taxes knocked down on Sicily, so that one trader told: "W One Italy, ... it's better if they would be two ... !!! "
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... Adelaide (Australia) historical centre reproduces Catania historical centre ...
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... according to the tradition in Ognina little harbour landed Ulysses after coping with Polifemo.
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... In Simeto River is produced the best ambra in the world, with insects inside...
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... Primosole Bridge, is so called, because during the II World War it was the only way to reach Syracuse from Catania. The connection started at the dawn, that's to say at "the first sun" namely "Primo Sole" ...
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... Acireale, (namely Royal Aci) is so called because it was the favourite city of Espanish King Phelipe II ...
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... Many sicilian country names (Calatabiano, Caltagirone, Calatafimi, Calascibetta, Caltanissetta ...) result from the Arabic word Qalat, thet means Castle,... because in that place rose a fortress. For example, Caltanissetta meaning is "Women Castle" because of its beautiful women ...
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... Castiglione meaning is Lion's Castle from latyn: Castrum Leonis . . .
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... Mongibello, a popular name for Etna Vulcan, is formed from latyn Mons (Mountain) and arab Gebel (mountain) ... It's a tautology ...
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... Santa Tecla name derives from Arab Shant Dagla, meaning: harbour place . . .
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... Amenano River, in Catania historical centre, went through ebraical district. For this reason it's also named Judicello.
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... Palmieri Palace, in Linguaglossa country, is named Slaves Castle, for two dark-skinned statues situated in the open gallery ...
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... Fig Tree is a magical plant, joined with fertility's rite because of its fertilising milk ...
Enna curiosity
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... Catenanuova is joined at Aci Catena. Its name means "New Chain", opposed to Old Chain (Acicatena) Infact when its Lord got married, the wife gave him Molimenti country, that became Catena Nuova, in Enna district ...
Palermo curiosity
- ... Palermo Patron Saints is Saint Rosalia and The Genius. In Municipal Palace there is a statue of Palermo's Genius, a good spirit which gives happiness and serenity at its inhabitants ...
