In the heart of Pettineo, a work comes to life that unites beauty, social commitment, and youth participation. Thanks to the Associazione Dialogos, which actively operates in the area with the aim of promoting culture and involving new generations, a monumental mural has been created as part of the project financed by the PNRR "Attractiveness of Villages," included in the broader program "Coast and Alesine Valleys: an itinerary to rediscover the villages of Castel di Lucio, Motta d'Affermo, and Pettineo."

The work, titled Dynamic Flow, is signed by the renowned Palermo artist Andrea Buglisi, who has been a point of reference in the national street art scene for years. The mural, located on Via Credenza, is striking for its expressive power and meaning, addressing a central theme for community growth: sport as a tool for inclusion.

"Timeless figures, suspended in an eternal gesture, merge into a single dance of strength and harmony. Taut muscles trace trajectories like lines on a map of an imaginary city, symbolizing humanity in motion. Sport becomes a universal language: it unites peoples, races, and cultures, breaking down borders and building bridges between the cities of the world. It is living, pulsating energy that ignites the spirit and celebrates the elegance of the athletic gesture transformed into rhythm, into art. A tribute to the spectacle of sport: timeless, placeless, an emblem of loyalty, sacrifice, and a shared dream. A powerful message to transmit to new generations, so that they may inherit it and continue its journey." -Andrea Buglisi

To celebrate and share the profound meaning of this work with the community, a presentation day has been organized for Saturday, June 29, dedicated to sport and inclusion, with the artist in attendance. A celebration open to everyone, full of events for both children and adults.

The day's program includes:

• Morning
  • Art workshop for children, to introduce younger audiences to visual and creative language.
  • Exhibition of the canvases from Antonio Presti's Fiumara d'arte, a symbol of dialogue between territories and artistic visions.
• Afternoon
  • Sports games for children and a sports circuit for adults, to experience the mural's theme firsthand, through movement and sharing.
• 7:00 PM:
  • Official inauguration of the "Dynamic Flow" mural
  • Public conference with the artist Andrea Buglisi, to delve deeper into the meaning of the work and the creative process that generated it.

The project actively involved young people, citizens, and students in a participatory process that transformed a wall into a collective symbol. The mural thus becomes not only a work of art but a visual monument to solidarity, diversity, and the power of teamwork.

This initiative is part of a month rich in events in the Nebrodi villages, alongside events like the Pettineo Short Movie Fest, Medievalia in Castel di Lucio, and the Euterpe Fest in Motta d'Affermo. An intense calendar that testifies to the cultural vitality of these territories and the central role of local associations in promoting innovative and inclusive projects.

«We wanted to build something that would last over time – states the Associazione Dialogos – a work that speaks of future and sharing, and that could inspire new generations to believe in the value of sport as a metaphor for life.»

Photo credits: Sara Rizzo

Nel cuore di Pettineo prende vita un’opera che unisce bellezza, impegno sociale e partecipazione giovanile. Grazie all’Associazione Dialogos, che opera attivamente sul territorio con l’obiettivo di valorizzare la cultura e coinvolgere le nuove generazioni, è stato realizzato un murale monumentale nell’ambito del progetto finanziato dal PNRR “Attrattività dei borghi”, inserito nel più ampio programma “Costa e Valli Alesine: un itinerario alla riscoperta dei borghi di Castel di Lucio, Motta d’Affermo e Pettineo.”

L’opera, intitolata Flusso dinamico, porta la firma del noto artista palermitano Andrea Buglisi, da anni punto di riferimento nel panorama nazionale della street art. Il murale, situato in via Credenza, colpisce per forza espressiva e significato, affrontando un tema centrale per la crescita delle comunità: lo sport come strumento di inclusione.

"Figure senza tempo, sospese in un gesto eterno, si fondono in un’unica danza di forza e armonia. I muscoli tesi tracciano traiettorie come linee su una mappa di una città immaginaria, simbolo di un’umanità in movimento. Lo sport diventa linguaggio universale: unisce popoli, razze e culture, abbattendo i confini e costruendo ponti tra le città del mondo. È energia viva, pulsante, che accende lo spirito e celebra l’eleganza del gesto atletico trasformato in ritmo, in arte. Un omaggio allo spettacolo dello sport: senza tempo, senza luogo, emblema di lealtà, sacrificio e sogno condiviso.

Un messaggio potente da trasmettere alle nuove generazioni, affinché ne raccolgano l’eredità e ne proseguano il cammino."

-Andrea Buglisi

Per celebrare e condividere con la comunità il significato profondo di quest’opera, è stata organizzata una giornata di presentazione che si terrà sabato 29 giugno, all’insegna dello sport e dell’inclusione, alla presenza dell’artista. Una festa aperta a tutti, ricca di eventi dedicati sia ai più piccoli che agli adulti.

 Il programma della giornata prevede:

• Mattina

• Laboratorio d’arte per bambini, per avvicinare i più giovani al linguaggio visivo e creativo.

• Esposizione delle tele della Fiumara d’arte di Antonio Presti, simbolo di un dialogo tra territori e visioni artistiche.

• Pomeriggio

• Giochi sportivi per bambini e percorso sportivo per adulti, per vivere il tema del murale in prima persona, tra movimento e condivisione.

• Ore 19:00

• Inaugurazione ufficiale del murale “Flusso dinamico”

• Conferenza pubblica con l’artista Andrea Buglisi, per approfondire il significato dell’opera e il processo creativo che l’ha generata.

Il progetto ha coinvolto attivamente giovani, cittadini e studenti in un processo partecipato che ha trasformato un muro in un simbolo collettivo. Il murale diventa così non solo opera d’arte, ma monumento visivo alla solidarietà, alla diversità e alla forza del gioco di squadra.

Questa iniziativa si inserisce in un mese ricco di appuntamenti nei borghi nebroidei, affiancando eventi come lo Short Movie Fest di Pettineo, Medievalia a Castel di Lucio e l’Euterpe Fest a Motta d’Affermo. Un calendario intenso che testimonia la vitalità culturale di questi territori e il ruolo centrale delle associazioni locali nella promozione di progetti innovativi e inclusivi.

«Abbiamo voluto costruire qualcosa che restasse nel tempo – afferma l’Associazione Dialogos – un’opera che parlasse di futuro e condivisione, e che potesse ispirare le nuove generazioni a credere nel valore dello sport come metafora di vita.»

 Photo credits: Sara Rizzo

L'evento, che si terrà il 29 giugno a Castel di Lucio, è organizzato dalle Associazioni Culturali BCsicilia e Il Filo di Arianna, in qualità di partner per la realizzazione dell'intervento "Attrattività dei borghi storici". Tale iniziativa rientra nel quadro della rigenerazione culturale e sociale dei piccoli borghi storici, ed è finanziata nell'ambito del PNRR dall'Unione Europea – NextGenerationEU.
L'intervento complessivo che interesserà contestualmente tre comuni,  è denominato “COSTA E VALLI ALESINE: UN ITINERARIO ALLA RISCOPERTA DEI BORGHI DI CASTEL DI LUCIO, MOTTA D’AFFERMO E PETTINEO”.

L'evento si configura come una giornata a tema medievale, strutturata in diverse fasi di intrattenimento. Il programma prevede una rievocazione storica focalizzata sull'epoca dei Ventimiglia, con un corteo in costume che si snoderà lungo il centro storico di Castel di Lucio, culminando presso i ruderi del Castello Ventimigliano.

Contestualmente alla manifestazione avrà luogo la tradizionale "Sagra de Favi Squadati", a cura della Pro Loco Castel di Lucio, integrata nel contesto tematico medievale dell'evento.

Questo il programma:di MEDIEVALIA

Quarantotto cortometraggi in gara realizzati da artisti provenienti da diverse parti del mondo suddivisi in tre sessioni di proiezioni; una serata dedicata alla consegna delle nomination e un'altra dedicata alle premiazioni. Il tutto arricchito da  visite guidate alle opere di Fiumara d'arte, laboratori per bambini, intrattenimenti musicali e, ovviamente, percorsi conoscitivi della città che ospita l'evento: Pettineo.

Questi i numeri con i quali si presenta al pubblico la prima edizione dello Short movie fest, il Festival internazionale del cortometraggio ideato e organizzato dall'amministrazione comunale e dall'Associazione teatrale Small Shaker, che va inquadrato nel ben più ampio progetto denominato “COSTA E VALLI ALESINE: UN ITINERARIO ALLA RISCOPERTA DEI BORGHI DI CASTEL DI LUCIO, MOTTA D’AFFERMO E PETTINEO”.

Il progetto di cui ci siamo gia occupati precedentemente (https://www.halaesanebrodi.it/Pnnr-attrattivita-borghi), nato e sviluppato sulla scorta di un cospicuo finanziamento europeo erogato tramite il PNRR, intende perseguire l'ambizioso obiettivo di rafforzare l'offerta culturale e turistica dei tre comuni attraverso una serie di linee d'intervento specifiche per ciascuna realtà ma, al contempo, collegate tra di loro.
Lungo questo percorso che si snoderà nel corso del mese di giugno, oltre allo Short movie fest, prenderanno vita altre interessanti attività quali: Risalendo la storia (Castel di Lucio-Pettineo-Motta d'Affermo), Medievalia (Castel di Lucio 29 giugno), Il filo di Arianna (Castel di Lucio), Residenza d'artista (Pettineo), 1 km di tela (Pettineo). 

Ad ampliare la ricca offerta di eventi sono programmati interessanti eventi culturali e musicali che verranno ospitati a Palazzo Minneci (Motta d'Affermo) quali il prossimo Euterpe Fest previsto per il 26, 29 e 30 giugno.

Le tre serate del Short movie fest saranno condotte dal duo Alessandra Storniolo-Filippo Di Pietro e vedranno come ospiti il noto musicista e compositore Nino Nobile e l'artista comico Roberto Anelli.
La giuria sarà composta da Francesco Nucara Direttore della Fotografia, Michele Tarzia filmmaker, Giovanni Puliafito compositore e l'Associazione Teatrale Small Shaker.

Feast of Saint Sebastian in Mistretta: Religious Celebrations and Traditions

The city of Mistretta is preparing to honor Saint Sebastian the Martyr, Patron Saint of the Nebrodi community, with a rich program of events involving both faithful and visitors.

Start of Celebrations – August 11th

The festivities begin on August 11th with the solemn ringing of bells, marking the official opening of the celebrations in honor of Saint Sebastian. The evening will continue with a performance by the I.C. Tommaso Aversa Orchestra in "Note di Notte" (Night Notes), an unmissable musical event.

Triduum and Traditional Activities – August 15th-17th

From August 15th to 17th, the Triduum of Saint Sebastian will be characterized by numerous religious and cultural events. On August 16th, the XVIII edition of the Saint Sebastian Foot Race Trophy, a traditional sporting event, will take place. On August 17th, music and entertainment will enliven the city with the Euterpe Band, the Majorettes of Capizzi, the children of Hakuna Matata, and a performance by Alessandro Gandolfo.

Culminating Day – August 18th

August 18th is the most anticipated day: the Holy Mass will precede the Solemn Procession of the Simulacrum of Saint Sebastian and his relics, which will pass through the streets of Mistretta. To conclude, a fireworks display will illuminate the sky, followed by a show by Pippo Palmieri, directly from Radio 105's Zoo.

Concert by Danilo Sacco – August 19th

On August 19th, Danilo Sacco will hold a concert that promises to engage and captivate the audience. The evening will conclude with the drawing of raffle prizes, adding a further touch of excitement to the festivities.

Closing of Celebrations – August 25th

The festivities in honor of Saint Sebastian will officially conclude on the following Sunday, August 25th, with the traditional solemn ringing of bells that will bid farewell to participants and close this week of celebrations.

Stepping across the threshold of the large building housing the Ceramiche Fratantoni showroom and factory means immediately immersing yourself in a world whose contours are clearly defined by the gray of the clay ('a rita in the local dialect) of countless vases, "Moro heads," and lamps, all crafted and left to rest, awaiting glazing and firing. This stark contrast is met by the explosion of vibrant colors used for decorating the finished artifacts that literally fill the exhibition spaces. At the center of the stage of a nearly century-long performance, a workbench stands out, surrounded by pieces already worked but awaiting decoration and firing. It's a magnificent scenographic and communicative choice that speaks volumes about this ancient expressive art, which only finds its final expression at the end of a long working cycle.

Within this complex and ancient world are the people, the artisans, and the skilled workers who have dedicated themselves to this magnificent art for centuries and who have made Santo Stefano di Camastra famous worldwide: the ceramists, or, to use a lesser-known term, the ceramicari.

Filippo Fratantoni is one of them, son of ceramists and a ceramist himself. He's a multifaceted individual, always involved in the social life of his Santo Stefano di Camastra, to which he also dedicated a long political period.

The Legacy of Ceramiche Fratantoni

Filippo, this chat is taking place within one of the historic businesses of Santo Stefano di Camastra: Ceramiche Fratantoni, a descendant of the Ditta Fratelli Fratantoni, founded way back in 1935. What has happened in these 89 years of activity?

"The business was born in the post-war period when my grandfather and his four sons set up an artisan workshop where they produced 'i marazzetri and 'i cusuzze, which were nothing more than toys inspired by everyday objects. Using four lathes for processing, they created small bummuli, quartare, lemmi, and rasticetri, reproducing in miniature what Stefanesi artisans had long been producing in their workshops. The small pieces made were bought by street vendors who, aboard their carts, would then sell them in local markets for a few pennies, allowing less affluent children to also have a modest toy to play with.

Subsequently, at the end of the Second World War, a qualitative leap occurred, and the Fratantoni family, thanks to the purchase of larger warehouses and premises, dedicated itself to the production of terracotta for daily and building use, still remaining outside of ceramic products as we see them today.

In reality, at that time, furnaces and workshops were still located outside the town, along the national road (SS.113) that led towards Messina, which carried all the modest vehicle traffic of the era. These were the hard 1950s after the war, but subsequently, thanks to the economic recovery, we began to see Fiat 1100s, then Fiat 600s, some regular buses, and even tourists who, attracted by the goods left to dry by the numerous roadside artisans, began to be interested in purchasing the displayed products. From this moment on, interest also grew in producing and selling decorated ceramics, which led to the birth of 'a scola ceramica, now the Art School, which began to train the first decorators to support the master potters—a crucial moment given that the workers of the time did not have the skills to color their artifacts.

Our interest has always been directed towards reproducing 19th-century Stefanesi traditional tiles and bricks, and in the 1970s, we patented the glazing of lava stone slabs, with which we began to build tables of various shapes and sizes that would otherwise be impossible to create with clay, a material severely penalized in terms of resistance and contraction during firing.

Today, our company has reached the fourth generation. My brothers and I dedicate ourselves to the production of the classical line, particularly the production of tiles, while we give the younger generation the freedom to experiment with the new worlds and creative spaces offered by modern ceramics."

Responding to Market Challenges and Innovation

Some years ago, we witnessed an invasion of foreign-made products, especially from China, which had nothing to do with artisanal ones, distracting consumers and creating great confusion. How did the community of Stefanesi ceramists respond to this intrusive presence, what countermeasures were taken, and what has changed in the relationship with the end-user?

"We simply continued to do our job and to do it well. The real invasion happened, but it has also passed. Today, mainly reproductions of pinecones and 'Moro heads' arrive from China, which have little impact on our work. My father always told us: 'Don't get discouraged, ceramics always have their ups and downs,' and I must say that's how it has been. Today we are in a period of great recovery. People's taste is becoming more refined and they can recognize an object by the quality it expresses. The new generations are increasingly attracted to our world, thanks also to the presence of media and social media, which have given new impetus to our sector. Just think of the international projection that designers Dolce and Gabbana gave to the 'Moro head' by featuring it in some of their advertisements. This highlighted an object that has always existed but, undoubtedly, thanks to their intervention, has become highly sought after."

The MUDIS: A Diffused Museum

Filippo Fratantoni's name is closely linked to MUDIS, an acronym for "Museo Diffuso Stefanese" (Stefanesi Diffused Museum), of which you are the Artistic Director. I'm curious about the use of the term "diffused" and, at the same time, I'd like to delve into its history, which begins with Giuseppe Lanza Barresi, Duke of Camastra.

"We have always believed that Santo Stefano di Camastra is an open-air museum. The MUDIS was born from a vision that originated in the 1980s, thanks to the late mayor Gigi Famularo, who worked to find the necessary funds for the restoration of the palace that belonged to the Duke of Camastra. That's where the Museum of Ceramics was born, with ample exhibition spaces dedicated to the history of Stefanesi and Sicilian ceramics, coexisting with a very important collection of modern artistic ceramics. Alongside this, as part of the diffused museum project, there are installations scattered throughout the city, and our artisans' workshops themselves are an integral part, through their shops and colorful exhibition spaces that overlook the main streets of Santo Stefano in a very scenic way."

The "Passport of the Ceramic Route"

Artistic ceramics are a very important tourism driver, especially if the right synergies are created with other regional and national realities. I find the "Passport of the Ceramic Route" initiative very interesting. It aims to unite six Sicilian communities in a stimulating journey to discover the world of ceramics, and Santo Stefano is an integral part of it. The Passport was presented on March 24th of this year—I was there—but I didn't see many ceramists present. How many businesses have joined the project, and what developments do you foresee from this initiative?

"It's true. Although we ceramists have cordial and collaborative relationships with each other, we are quite reluctant to leave our workshops and engage in collective, broad-ranging projects. Sometimes in the past, the expected results were not seen, and this has led us to increasingly retreat into our individual activities, avoiding professional confrontation with other colleagues, and thus we have gradually given up on creating the right synergies. I think instead we should change our attitude.

Regarding the Passport of the Ceramic Route, I believe it was and remains a valid initiative that the current administration believes in and has put a lot of energy into. It probably needs to be revised in some aspects, but the initiative is truly interesting."

Ceramics in the Age of Robotics

The challenges of the third millennium bring us closer and closer to a robotic and computerized world. Do you think the world of ceramics and craftsmanship in general, sooner or later, will have to adapt to this non-gentle revolution? Will a robot ever use a stick to shape a "Moro head" or a brush to glaze a "Matrangela"?

"In reality, 3D printers have already entered the world of industrial ceramics. With them, and thanks to them, it's now possible to create decorated laminate slabs of 3 square meters with thicknesses of just a few millimeters, which would be impossible to achieve with traditional machinery. But we're talking about industrial and large-scale productions.

Craftsmanship is another thing: it's a place where 'a rita (clay), creativity, heart, and manual skill intersect. I don't believe a robot could ever intervene and replace the artisan-artist, at least in this aspect."

A Dream for the Future

Finally, Filippo, your story tells of a person who has dedicated himself to his company, his family, and his community. Do you have a dream tucked away that you would like to entrust to future generations?

"The dream exists, and I've kept it tucked away for several years: I would like to see a great museum of contemporary ceramics realized, with young artists from all over the world gathering in Santo Stefano to dream, experiment, and create contemporary works of art. It would be a valuable tool for cultural and tourist attraction to accompany the artworks contained in the Diffused Museum of Fiumara d'Arte, which would further strengthen the tourist and artistic vocation of our territory.

You can learn more about the Operators and the Project of GMT™ Halaesa-Nebrodi.

Here's a comprehensive translation of the interview with Alessio Ribaudo, capturing the essence and depth of his words:

Sometimes, you can be a "Gente di Halaesa-Nebrodi" (Person of Halaesa-Nebrodi) even while living over 1300 km away. This is the reality for many Sicilians who, for various reasons, live far from their place of origin, and it's precisely what happens with Alessio Ribaudo, born in Santo Stefano di Camastra but adopted by Milan, and a journalist for Corriere della Sera.

Although Alessio has lived and worked in Milan for quite some time, that subtle red thread connecting him to his Santo Stefano di Camastra (and not just there, as we'll see later) has never broken. In fact, over the years, it has even strengthened, keeping alive his family, emotional, and belonging ties. This latter point also means he hasn't "absorbed" too much of the Milanese accent, a condition I personally greatly appreciate.

Alessio, your Santo Stefano-Milan ticket was never one-way. How strong is your bond with Sicily?

"Without roots, trees don't grow. I was born in Santo Stefano di Camastra. My mother, Angela Ciofalo, my grandparents, great-grandparents, and ancestors up to my great-great-great-grandparents were all born here. My father is from Mistretta, a land that, at least since 1448, has been home to the Ribaldo – then Ribbaudo and finally Ribaudo. A surname is never just a surname: it's a story, a trace, a witness passed down from generation to generation.

In Mistretta, every Saturday as a child, the ritual question was always the same: 'Ma tu a cu apperteni?' (But who do you belong to?). It wasn't just curiosity; it was the mandatory step to be recognized, understood. The answer was never trivial; just saying your father's name wasn't enough. Only when I said: 'U niputi ri ron Luciu ri S’Addiu' (Don Lucio of S'Addiu's grandson), the circle closed, and identity found its key. In Milan, where I've lived for thirty years, something similar happens. Here too, in certain circles, there's a distinction between the 'Milanés de la lengua de Milan' (Milanese of the Milanese tongue) and everyone else. Here too, surnames and dialect are seals. But the truth is, the bond with one's homeland isn't measured in kilometers; it's measured in heartbeats.

The Nebrodi mountains saw me grow up. I loved, laughed, and dreamed in these lands. I left from here, and my soul remains here. Here is the land that amplified the enthusiasm of my youth. Here I learned to keep my feet firmly on the ground and my gaze fixed on the sea, towards the infinity that even the crown of the Aeolian Islands doesn't bar. Among my 1,611 ancestors, documented, there were not only people from Santo Stefano and Mistretta, but also Militello (Faraci) and San Fratello (Calderone and Tomasello). There were Christians (Armao, Cannata, Smriglio, Scaduto) and Jews (Bartolotta, Giaconia, Giordano, Ortoleva). Nobles and socialists, contractors and artisans, shipowners and breeders, entrepreneurs and royal surveyors, hardened anti-clericals and high prelates, mayors and anarchists. Great riches and great downfalls. In short, all the contradictions of the Nebrodi were there. I carry them within me: in the way I look at the sea, in the silences of the mountains, in the tenacity that accompanies me every day.

Writing, besides being your job, is a deep passion. Where does it come from?

"There's a moment in everyone's life when passion takes shape. For me, it happened in middle school, when my legendary Italian professor, Gaetano Gerbino, gave us an in-class assignment: to write an imaginary article. His judgment was clear: 'A future at Corriere della Sera is foreseen.' It was 1986. That summer marked my life.

I had just turned ten when, for the first time, they put me in front of a mixer and a microphone. The publisher, Beniamino Priolisi, calmly explained: 'With this slider, you lower the music; with this one, you raise your voice. Go.' After a few tries, he uttered a phrase I've never forgotten: 'From today, you'll host the kids' news.' It was Radio Incontro. And at that moment, I no longer thought about the infernal heat of that cramped room. I only thought about words, about that thrill of telling stories. Soon after, I also moved into television journalism and print: from Giornale di Sicilia to Centonove, from Onda TV to Antenna del Mediterraneo, passing through Radio Stefanese and TGS.

I was just fifteen when I covered my first double homicide. I knew the victims well: a fellow villager who raced in rallies and his navigator-mechanic. I couldn't turn away; I couldn't keep silent. That was the beginning. Then Mediaset on Line, Italpress, Il Giornale, and finally the big leap: Corriere della Sera. For twenty years, I've been telling the world's stories with the awareness that words carry weight. I've used them to report on the Mafia, legality, and hydrogeological instability. My writing has never been just a profession. It has always been, first and foremost, a form of resistance.

You've uncovered forgotten stories. Can you tell me some of them?

"There are names that history loses. Liborio Ribaudo is one of them. Born in Mistretta in 1897, he believed in values that are rare today: honor, duty, homeland. At twenty, he commanded a platoon during the Great War. The Army awarded him the Silver Medal of Military Valor. After the war, life took him to Libya. It was 1923: the colonial war, the Fascist expansionist dream. Liborio was an officer of the Second Eritrean Battalion, under Graziani's command. Then came December 27th. Beni Ulid. Three hundred Italians against three thousand rebels. Liborio, at the head of his men, repelled the assault. He was seriously wounded. His comrades-in-arms stood at attention as they carried him back. With his last breath, he rose from the stretcher and cried: 'Viva sempre l'Italia!' (Long live Italy, always!). Another Silver Medal of Military Valor, but his name has faded in the alleys of Mistretta. A bureaucratic error placed him in Gela. But he was from Mistretta, and I dream and reiterate that his name should be inscribed in the beautiful Monument to the Fallen that my grandfather Lucio, with his art, helped to erect.

And then there's Maria Ciofalo, a young partisan and British secret agent, an almost forgotten figure. She worked for the Special Operations Executive. A courageous woman who operated behind enemy lines, sabotaging, spying. My job is to bring these lives to light and restore them to their rightful place in collective memory.

You've received important awards: the Pio La Torre Prize and the title of "Siciliano Lombardo dell’Anno 2023" (Lombard Sicilian of the Year 2023). What do these mean to you?

"They mean pride, but also a sense of awe. To see my name associated with the work of civic saints like Pio La Torre and Salvatore Carnevale or great magistrates like Antonino Caponnetto is an enormous honor. These recognitions are not just awards; they are pure energy to continue a job that is hard work, requiring constant dedication. You don't write about the Mafia and legality to become famous, but to give a voice to those who don't have one. These awards remind me that journalism is not just a profession: it is a mission, a civic commitment, a responsibility.

What are your thoughts on GMT™ Halaesa-Nebrodi?

"The memory of a place isn't just in its stones or its documents, but in what those stones and documents tell, and in how we choose to listen to them. Halaesa-Nebrodi is an ambitious project that starts from the premise that the past shouldn't be an anchor holding us back, but a springboard propelling us forward. This means recognizing history, but also giving it new life, so that it continues to dialogue with the present and the future. We must know how to listen to this territory without imposing, without forcing. Let the stones, the paths, the mountains, and the sea tell their story. It is in that story that the unique value of the Nebrodi lies.

This project has extraordinary potential because it aims to highlight not only the natural beauties but also the food and wine, cultural, and human richness of this land. To do so, however, it needs more than just a good idea. It requires true synergy among institutions, local entities, young entrepreneurs, and communities, so that the project leaves a lasting mark. Local realities, institutions, and young entrepreneurs must collaborate to give continuity and sustainability to an innovative project that is also respectful of its roots.

And then, a powerful narrative is needed. My articles on the Mafia are often remembered, about how they oppress and stifle those who, with the sweat of their brow, run their businesses: the honest people in Sicily are the vast majority. But there are many others that make me proud because they have highlighted the beauty of the Nebrodi and have convinced tourism entrepreneurs to include this area in their itineraries.

The media must be part of this process, because making the value of a place known also means protecting and preserving it. Those who bury their heads in the sand, like an ostrich, do not benefit these treasures. The 'niente vidi, niente sacciu' (I saw nothing, I know nothing) has already caused incalculable damage for generations. It is the worst stereotype and the most devastating media boomerang that can exist. The denialists who fret, point fingers, and shout, with the marranzano (jaw harp) in the background, only provoke repulsion in tourists for their closed-mindedness towards the truth and their retrograde attitude.

The role of the media is essential: to tell the stories of those who work, live, and love these places. Because making the value of a territory known doesn't just mean promoting it: it also means protecting it, safeguarding it, and handing it over intact to future generations. To tell the story of a territory means to tell the reality, without lies. It means to preserve it. It means to protect it. Only in this way can it be delivered to the future. Together: because alone you go fast, but all for one, you go far.

Telling the story of a territory, ultimately, is an act of responsibility and love. It's not just a matter of marketing or tourism: it's a matter of identity, belonging, respect for what we have been and for what we can become. This, I believe, is the greatest challenge: to find a way to make past and future, tradition and innovation coexist, in a balance that sacrifices nothing but enhances everything. Like a modern Ulysses, I dream that one day, when I put away my fountain pen, I will return to my Ithaca and find it not only intact, but also flourishing, renewed, enriched by all that we will have built. Not a nostalgia for what was, but an aspiration for what it can become. A home not as I left it, but as I always hoped it would be.

Today, through the pages of our website, we're launching a new partnership that not only unites nearby communities but, more importantly, brings together two territories of immense tourist appeal under one grand project: the Sicilian hinterland and the Tyrrhenian coast.

This exciting collaboration is thanks to the experiential tourism initiative spearheaded for several years by Nicosia di Sicilia and the team of Salvatore Burrafato, Samuel Granata, and Valentina Bircher. By combining captivating accommodations, delectable food and wine itineraries, and a wealth of professionalism, they've crafted some truly interesting tourism packages. The heart of this project lies in the beautiful town of Nicosia, in the province of Enna, home to the accommodations managed by Valentina and Manuel. However, its scope extends with keen interest across the entire hinterland, where the Erei mountains gaze upon the majestic Etna, stretching across vast fields of cereals and grains, and where prickly pears, olives, and fruit trees have always thrived.

These are also the very places where cattle and pig farming, along with sheep herding, were and remain driving forces of the local economy. Today, these areas are also looking with renewed interest at forgotten crops like saffron. Just a few kilometers from Nicosia lies Salvatore's ancient and charming farmhouse, carved into the rock, where guests can embark on a delightful food and wine journey, perfect for indulging in genuine flavors and fully relaxing amidst nature.

With Salvatore, Manuel, and Valentina, we've envisioned uniting our projects to create a truly special and unique tourism package. This package starts in the hinterland, travels along the ancient "Via del Grano" (Grain Route), and culminates in Halaesa, a place where, in ancient times, ships at anchor in the port were loaded with foodstuffs to be distributed to Rome.

The days our guests spend with us will be enriched with food and wine tastings and guided tours that, starting from Nicosia, will touch various municipalities within Halaesa-Nebrodi. There will also be time to enjoy moments of pure relaxation, ensuring travelers' memories are filled with truly unforgettable images and experiences.

The complete Halaesa-Nebrodi Catalog, featuring all the proposed tourist packages, will be released shortly.

The city of Nicosia hosted the second Sicilian stop of the Grand Tour of Territories and Italian Identity (and eleventh nationally), after the one held in Mistretta on January 26, 2024, through a workshop dedicated to the Culture of Hospitality in Inner Areas.
The event, organized by Andrea Succi (Territori e Italianità), Salvo Burrafato (Nicosia di Sicilia),  Samuel Granata and Valentina Bircher (Grandip Group), and Riccardo Zingone (GMT™ Halaesa Nebrodi), was sponsored by the Municipality of Nicosia, the Department of Tourism and the Department of Agriculture of the Region of Sicily, GAL ISC Madonie, ANCI and SIMTUR.

Partners of the Nicosia event included Royal Guest, Aura Mundi, Espereal Technologies, and Maggioli Cultura as media partner. 

Following the institutional greetings from Nicosia’s Mayor Luigi Bonelli, and in line with the spirit of the initiative, the event quickly moved into its core discussions with contributions from Salvo Burrafato, Andrea Succi, Riccardo Zingone, Pina La Giusa, and Samuel Granata. The organizing team deliberately used the term workshop to give the meeting a clearly pragmatic and operational angle  by presenting the first results of the GMT® Model applied in the nearby Halaesa Nebrodi area,addressing the needs expressed by administrators, operators, and citizens aware that, to build regenerative prospects for inner areas, dedicated models and skills capable of offering real solutions to devastating phenomena such as depopulation and loss of identity are essential.
Andrea Succi described the methodological framework applied to the regeneration of inner areas, starting from the need to adopt a Vision, at the heart of Territori e Italianità through the format of the "Five Steps".
Emerging themes included the participatory approach needed to generate structured internal communication among operators, citizens, and administrators, the conscious knowledge of one’s own identity elements (genius loci) and the transfer of  skills, for a renewed work culture, an essential condition to address depopulation.
Based on these principles, good practices must be generated, fueled by mayors aware of their role, motivated and properly trained operators, and engaged and participatory citizens in a forward-looking process where the Destination Temporary Manager and the Territorial Tourism Coordinator™ play a crucial role—the former to effectively organize the tourist destination, the latter to ensure the long-term sustainability of the work initiated.
Salvo Burrafato, who skillfully coordinated the event, also illustrated to the audience the first experiential tourism route proposed by Nicosia di Sicilia, with stays ranging from three to seven nights, offering a deeply immersive experience in the world of rural life, food and wine traditions, and culture. This tourist package was also included among the products in the Halaesa Nebrodi catalog titled The Grain Route , expanding and enriching it with further significant experiences. 

Through the words of Riccardo Zingone, the GMT™ Halaesa Nebrodi was presented to the community as a concrete example of territorial tourism work and organization.
The project, launched in 2024, began with a meticulous operator scouting activity and marked several key steps such as the launch of the website www.halaesanebrodi.it, followed by the creation of a first Tourism Product Catalog, thus setting the conditions to fully enter the national and international tourism market, effectively positioning this area as an authentic tourist destination.
The very notion of a “model” implies its replicability, and it is hoped that the GMT™ Halaesa Nebrodi model—first of its kind in Sicily—can be adopted by other inner areas and communities that need practical tools to counteract the social and economic decline they have been facing for decades.

Also very meaningful was the contribution by Mario Cicero, mayor of Castelbuono and President of GAL ISC Madonie, who shared with the audience his twenty-year experience as administrator of the Madonie village, and welcomed the opportunity presented by Territori e Italianità to develop tourism projects in synergy with GAL ISC Madonie. Equally valuable was the testimony of Samuel Granata, a young Nicosian who chose to remain in his homeland, bravely investing his energy in the tourism sector, along with that of Pina La Giusa, entrepreneur and President of the Petra D’Asgotto Ecomuseum, who focused her speech on the projects carried out by the Ecomuseum, including the archaeological excavation project on Mount Altesina, which led to new and interesting discoveries in March through a second agreement with the University of Paris and the involved local authorities.

The lively and educational debate was joined by Giacomo Consentino, owner of the 24 Baroni craft brewery, Maria Scavuzzo from the Albereto dairy, Francesco Dipasquale of Espereal Technologies, Antonino Noto, President of the Pro Loco of Motta d’Affermo, Fabio Bruno, President of the Movement for the Defense of Territories, Giuseppe Lo Furno of the Italian Farmers Federation, Anna Maria Gemellaro, deputy mayor of Nicosia, and Giacomo Giaimi, geologist and hiking guide.  In particular, Anna Maria Gemellaro, deputy mayor of Nicosia, proposed the inclusion of the GMT Model and the innovative figure of the Territorial Tourism Coordinator® in the call for experiential tourism projects that the Municipality intends to apply for.

The event concluded with a pleasant and mindful wine tasting accompanied by local products, curated by ONAV.

La città di Nicosia ha accolto la seconda tappa siciliana del Gran tour di Territori e Italianità (e undicesima nazionale), dopo quella svoltasi a Mistretta il 26 gennaio del 2024, attraverso un workshop dedicato alla Cultura dell'ospitalità nelle aree interne.
L'evento, organizzato da Andrea Succi (Territori e Italianità), Salvo Burrafato (Nicosia di Sicilia),  Samuel Granata e Valentina Bircher (Grandip Group )  e da Riccardo Zingone (GMT™ Halaesa Nebrodi) ha ricevuto il patrocinio del Comune di Nicosia, dell'Assessorato al Turismo e dell'Assessorato all'Agricoltura della Regione Sicilia, del GAL ISC Madonie, di ANCI e  SIMTUR.

Partner della tappa a Nicosia Royal Guest, Aura Mundi, Espereal Techonologies e Maggioli Cultura media partner. 

Dopo i saluti istituzionali portati dal Sindaco di Nicosia Luigi Bonelli, coerentemente con lo spirito dell'iniziativa, si è entrati subito nel vivo dei lavori attraverso gli interventi di Salvo Burrafato, Andrea Succi, Riccardo Zingone, Pina La Giusa e Samuel Granata. Il team organizzativo, utilizzando in maniera ragionata il termine workshop,  ha inteso dare all'incontro un taglio decisamente pragmatico e quindi operativo  presentando i primi risultati del Modello GMT® applicato nel vicino territorio dell'Halaesa Nebrodi,raccogliendo l'esigenza che nasce da amministratori, operatori, cittadini consapevoli del fatto che, per costruire delle prospettive rigenerative delle aree interne, sono indispensabili modelli e competenze dedicate che sappiano dare risposte reali a fenomeni devastanti quali lo spopolamento e la perdita d'identità.
Andrea Succi ha descritto l'impostazione metodologica applicata per la rigenerazione delle aree interne, partendo dalla necessità di dotarsi di una Visione, alla base di Territori e Italianità attraverso il format dei "Cinque passi".
Sono emersi i temi dell'approccio partecipativo da adottare per generare la comunicazione interna, in forma strutturata, tra operatori, cittadini e Amministratori, la consapevole conoscenza dei propri elementi identitari, (genius loci) e il trasferimento di  competenze, per una rinnovata cultura del lavoro, condizione imprescindibile per affrontare lo spopolamento.
Sul solco di questi concetti bisogna, quindi,  generare buone pratiche alimentate da sindaci consapevoli del proprio ruolo, operatori motivati e adeguatamente formati, cittadini consapevoli e partecipativi in un lavoro di prospettiva nel quale il Temporary manager di destinazione e il Coordinatore turistico territoriale ™  svolgono un ruolo cruciale, il primo per organizzare in maniera efficace la destinazione turistica ed il secondo per rendere sostenibile nel tempo il lavoro avviato.
Salvo Burrafato che ha sapientemente coordinato i lavori ha tra le altre cose descritto ai presenti il primo percorso turistico esperienziale proposto da Nicosia di Sicilia, con soggiorni variabili da tre a sette notti, in un'esperienza decisamente immersiva nel mondo della ruralità, delle tradizioni eno-gastronomiche e della cultura. Questo pacchetto turistico è stato anche inserito in uno dei prodotti turistici contenuti nel catalogo di Halaesa Nebrodi denominato La via del grano , ampliandolo e arricchendolo con ulteriori significative esperienze. 

Attraverso le parole di Riccardo Zingone è stato quindi presentato alla comunità il GMT™ Halaesa Nebrodi come esempio concreto di lavoro e organizzazione turistica del territorio.
Il progetto, avviato nel 2024, partendo da una meticolosa attività  di scouting degli operatori, è stato segnato da alcune tappe importanti quali la messa in rete del sito www.halaesanebrodi.it  alla quale è seguita la costruzione di un primo Catalogo di prodotti turistici creando, così, le condizioni per entrare a pieno titolo nel mercato turistico nazionale e internazionale, candidando di fatto questo territorio ad autentica Destinazione turistica. 
Nel concetto di "modello" vi è un implicito riferimento alla replicabilità dello stesso pertanto è stato auspicato che il modello di lavoro applicato dal GMT ™ Halaesa Nebrodi, il primo in Sicilia, possa essere adottato anche da altre aree interne e da altre comunità che necessitano di strumenti utili a contrastare la deriva sociale ed economica alla quale da diversi decenni sembrano avviate.

Molto significativo anche l'intervento di Mario Cicero, sindaco di Castelbuono e Presidente del GAL ISC Madonie che ha trasferito alla platea la sua ventennale esperienza di Amministratore del borgo madonita accogliendo anche favorevolmente la prospettiva aperta a Territori e Italianità per portare avanti delle progettualità di sviluppo turistico del territorio, in sinergia col GAL ISC Madonie. Altrettanto valida e significativa la testimonianza di Samuel Granata, un giovane nicosiano che ha deciso di restare nel proprio territorio investendo investendo le sue energie con coraggio, nell'ambito turistico, così come quella di Pina La Giusa, imprenditrice e Presidente dell'Ecomuseo Petra D'Asgotto, che ha focalizzato il proprio intervento sui progetti portati avanti dall'Ecomuseo fra i quali il progetto di scavi archeologici sul Monte Altesina, stipulando una seconda convenzione con l'Università di Parigi e gli Enti locali interessati che, nel mese di marzo hanno portato a nuove e interessanti scoperte.

Allo stimolante e formativo dibattito che è scaturito hanno preso parte Giacomo Consentino titolare del Birrificio artigianale 24 Baroni, Maria Scavuzzo del Caseificio Albereto, Francesco Dipasquale di Espereal techonologies, Antonino Noto Presidente della Pro Loco di Motta d'Affermo, Fabio Bruno Presidente del Movimento per la difesa dei Territori, Giuseppe Lo Furno della Federazione agricoltori italiani, Anna Maria Gemellaro vice sindaco di Nicosia e Giacomo Giaimi geologo e guida ambientale escursionistica.  In particolare Anna Maria Gemellaro vice sindaco di Nicosia ha proposto l'inserimento del Modello GMT e della figura innovativa del Coordinatore Turistico Territoriale® come parti del bando sul turismo esperienziale al quale il proprio Comune intende partecipare.

L'evento si è concluso con una piacevole degustazione consapevole di vini accompagnati da prodotti del territorio a cura di ONAV.

Sabato 10 maggio, dalle ore 17.30, presso la Sala Consiliare del Comune di Nicosia, si terrà un interessante workshop sul tema della rigenerazione delle aree interne.

La tappa di Nicosia rientra nel Grand Tour avviato dal 2023 da Territori e Italianità, un ecosistema di professionisti, docenti, ricercatori, figure con un’esperienza da Amministratori locali, che si propongono di condividere conoscenza, metodologie e riflessioni propositive al fine di tracciare una linea possibile di sviluppo per la “Grande Italia” dei Piccoli Comuni delle aree interne.

Nel corso del workshop sarà presentato il modello GMT® Halaesa Nebrodi, con il Coordinatore Turistico Territoriale® Riccardo Zingone, come metodologia applicata per la rigenerazione delle aree interne siciliane. “Applicando il modello proposto da Territori e Italianità™ ho creato un Gruppo di Marketing Territoriale GMT® Halaesa Nebrodi, per organizzare un’offerta di turismo trasformativo e rigenerativo, rivolto a una grande fascia di turisti interessati a vivere esperienze nel nostro territorio in ogni stagione dell’anno” – dichiara Riccardo Zingone.

Nel corso del workshop saranno illustrati i concetti-chiave della Cultura dell’Ospitalità. “Fare cultura dell’ospitalità significa investire energie e risorse in azioni di comunicazione interna fra i cittadini, fra gli Amministratori e gli uni con gli altri – afferma Andrea Succi – Coordinatore Nazionale di Territori e Italianità. Per queste ragioni la Cultura dell’Ospitalità non coincide con il turismo ma ne rappresenta il presupposto”.

L’evento è frutto di un rapporto di partnership di Zingone e Succi con il progetto Nicosia di Sicilia che sarà presentato da Salvo Burrafato: “Sono molto felice di essere fra i promotori di questo importante evento – dichiara Burrafato – perché assieme a Samuel Granata e Valentina Bercher abbiamo trovato nel GMT Halaesa Nebrodi la concretizzazione della nostra idea di turismo, come leva per la rigenerazione dei nostri territori interni con un Piano d’Azione che realizzeremo in collaborazione con gli Amminsitratori locali e gli enti territoriali”.

La scelta di Nicosia intende dare avvio ad una progettazione di sviluppo territoriale intercomunale. “Abbiamo accolto l’opportunità di essere tappa del Grand Tour di Territori e Italianità perché riconosciamo l’importanza d’integrare un’offerta turistica coinvolgendo i Comuni vicini e potenziarne la capacità attrattiva a beneficio delle nostre comunità” – dichiara Luigi Bonelli, Sindaco di Nicosia.

Interverrano all'incontro il GAL ISC Madonie e l'Ecomuseo Petra d'Asgotto.

L’evento, patrocinato da Regione Sicilia – Assessorati del Turismo e Agricoltura, Comune di Nicosia, Anci Nazionale e Simtur, si concluderà con una “degustazione consapevole” di vini, a cura di Onav.

Per informazioni: Salvo Burrafato – Whatsapp: 349 539 3302

Mistretta sta consolidando la sua posizione di importante polo culturale nella regione dei Nebrodi. Dopo il successo della sua edizione inaugurale nel 2024, torna l'evento intitolato "Amastra che legge in festa 2025, il Festival del Libro e della Lettura".

Con il patrocinio del Comune di Mistretta e la collaborazione di numerose associazioni locali e istituzioni educative, l'evento promette di rafforzare la profonda sensibilità culturale già dimostrata dalla comunità amastratina verso i libri e la cultura. Questa caratteristica ha permesso a Mistretta di competere come finalista per Capitale Italiana del Libro 2025 attraverso un progetto di grande valore culturale, sociale e identitario, nato dal suo riconoscimento come "Città che Legge" nel 2024 da parte del Cepell.

Il libro, dunque, è al centro dell'attenzione per un intero mese ricco di mostre, presentazioni, letture, laboratori didattici e dibattiti. Così, nell'ambito del "Maggio dei Libri", sarà interpretato non solo come strumento di diffusione culturale, ma anche di coesione sociale e crescita.

I festeggiamenti iniziano il 23 aprile con la mostra "M'illumino leggendo", parte della Giornata Mondiale del Libro e del Diritto d'Autore, organizzata dall'I.C. Tusa-Mistretta presso la Biblioteca Comunale. Seguirà un interessante dialogo, interamente in dialetto mistrettese, intitolato "Mistretta, Identità e Racconto", che vedrà protagonisti il giornalista del Corriere della Sera Alessio Ribaudo e Vito Ribaudo, Direttore Risorse Umane di RCS. Nei giorni successivi, si incontreranno diversi autori, tra cui Margherita Neri, Sara Magnoli, Tea Ranno, Mariangela Biffarella, Francesca Maccani, Mattia Corrente e Massimiliano Città.

L'iniziativa si avvale della preziosa collaborazione dell'Associazione Pro Loco Mistretta APS, dell'Istituto Comprensivo Tusa-Mistretta, dell'IIS A. Manzoni Mistretta, della Libreria Capitolo 18, dell'Associazione Hakuna Matata, dell'Associazione La Valle delle cascate di Mistretta e della sezione FIDAPA di Mistretta.