RADDUSA WHEAT FESTIVAL

RADDUSA Wheat festival.

Immerse Yourself in Sicily’s History

RADDUSA wheat festival. In the wonderful and hot land of Sicily, between the cities of Catania and Enna, discover the ideal place to breath the pure air of rural life. Arriving by car you cross a desert valley where the landscape resembles the planet Mars and are welcomed by a banner that reads: “Raddusa, the city of the wheat.” The town’s name comes from the Arab word “Rabdusa,” land of abundant vegetation.Raddusa’s 4,000 friendly people receive foreigners with gentleness and warm hospitality.

For three days every year, at the beginning of September, (this year from September 10 through 12), a city is in fiesta. The atmosphere

becomes that of rural life in the Sicilian hinterland in the fifties when the culture of Raddusa was still firmly tied to the earth and to its products. The most important product was wheat.

Woven bundles of wheat adorn the main church of the country, “The Mother Church,” the shops, the cafes, the gardens, the balconies of the houses, and every street. Bundles are always freely distributed to inhabitants and visitors.

The three days are filled interesting activities for visitors, who are constantly tempted to enjoy delicious pancakes. People love to be photographed smiling and dancing and are very proud to show off their traditions.

Around 10 a.m on the final day, a long parade forms in Regina Margherita street.

At the head of it, the farmers and children are dressed in traditional clothes and push traditional Sicilian wheelbarrows, the last of which is loaded with bundles of wheat that are distributed to the people. Four beautiful and charming girls dressed to represent the four seasons of the year are adorned with flowers and carry bundles in their arms. Other girls wear suits that represent different divinities, but the central focus of the parade is a carriage with a man and a woman dressed with old and elegant clothes who represent the Marquis of Raddusa Francesco Maria Paterno and his wife in 1810, Raddusa received from the king of Sicily, Ferdinando III, the permission to found Raddusa. Their carriage is followed by the main authorities of Raddusa, the first of whom is the mayor. The procession ends with the riotous folk group music band, The Ear (in Italina “la spiga”).

After the parade, everybody is invited to the main square take part in the dancing exhibitions, music, and games. A colt and other pets are given as prizes. At lunch, the first tasting occurs in “Milite Ignoto” square. Inhabitants and visitors line up or free bread seasoned with oil, oregano, and red pepper. The “pisatura do granu,” is a reconstruction of the ancient process of reaping in which sheaves of wheat, are stamped and pressed by the horses’ hooves accompanied by the sounds of propitiatory songs.
Then comes another tasting. This time it’s the “Cuccìa,” savory dish of wheat and vegetables. A musical show closes the party. The festival of the wheat, anticipates celebration, that of the Patron of the town St. Joseph, which takes place on September 19 and on March 19. The “Table of St. Joseph”, is prepared exactly as it will be in March. A rich table arranged with every kind of delicious food centering on bread of different sizes and shapes. At midday, a man, a woman, and a baby who represent the Madonna, St. Joseph and baby Jesus sit at the table. After their meal, the rest of the food is given to the people. Following tradition, the first piece of the bread must be preserved.

For this September’s celebration it is possible to book a wonderful balloon tour to admire the landscapes from above (the price is 150 euros per person).

Don’t forget your camera!

HIGH RESOLUTION PICTURES (Tiff or Jpeg) are available for sale upon regular request at the address: https://www.frcreations.it/contacts/ using the contact form with subject “Photo request”.Photos and text by Fabrizio Fiorenzano