The Artistic Infiorata of Marineo in honor of Corpus Domini is much more than just an event. It is the beating heart of a town, brought into the streets and squares, where culture and tradition come to life thanks to the passion and commitment of residents of all ages. This festival, now in its 30th edition, represents the evolution of an ancient tradition: decorating altars and streets along the processional route of the Holy Sacrament with petals and flowers; and it is here that almost all of the 6000 inhabitants actively participate in the floral decoration of the course, creating a unique and engaging atmosphere. The realization of this event begins several weeks before the festival with the design of sketches by various infiorator groups (more than 30 create just as many paintings), followed by the collection of natural flowers in the countryside and the Eleuterio valley. Subsequently, the colored petals are selected and separated, stored in the cool cellars of the historic center’s houses. The preparation of the designs of the various represented images requires commitment and creativity. The final realization, with the placement of the flowers, takes place throughout the night on Saturday until the early hours of the morning, under the amazed gaze of visitors, both local and tourists. Sacred themes and current subjects take shape through solemn and blessed faces, saints and madonnas, bread and fish, angelic visions and arcane symbols.
The infiorators of Marineo, animated by a competitive spirit and eager to create extraordinary designs, come together for a single purpose: to create an Artistic Infiorata that decorates the final stretch of the solemn procession of the Holy Sacrament. This tradition, now an institution, involves the entire town through the creation of real works of art. The composition of the infiorator groups is varied, including members of both the religious society and the lay community. Every year, with great commitment and creativity, they participate in the creation of these extraordinary floral carpets. But the Infiorata is not just an artistic event: it is also a moment of integration and participation for the community. The people, normally spectators, become protagonists, working side by side to create something unique. The Infiorata takes place in the heart of the town, along Corso dei Mille. This stretch of about 150 meters becomes a canvas on which flowers come to life, representing sacred themes, current subjects, and arcane symbols. The Artistic Infiorata of Marineo will reach its peak tomorrow evening until the night of June 2nd. It is an event of significant interest, now known at a regional, national, and international level. On that day, thousands of tourists, also coming from abroad, contribute to increasing local tourism. Among the visitors, there are several Marines who have emigrated and take advantage of the Infiorata to return to their hometown and see friends and relatives. The event’s remarkable tourist value, acquired year after year, has become one of the most well-known events in Sicily. This has given the event such a dimension that it also serves as a driving force for the promotion of local products and Marinese culture, establishing itself as the main tourist attraction, attracting more than 20,000 visitors every year. The event’s notoriety is also enhanced by the participation of external groups that have contributed to the realization of specific artistic paintings over the years, including the Carabinieri (always present at the event), the Cultural Association Petali d’Arte di Noto, the Mexican sisters of the Community of Madonna di Guadalupe, foreign delegations including the French municipality of Sainte Sigolene, the American community of Garfield Lody (New Jersey), the Infioratori of Termini Imerese, and this year the Infioratori of Mondello are also added. The event takes place over two days, coinciding with the Corpus Domini holiday. In 2024, the scheduled days are tomorrow and June 2nd. The highlight of the event is the realization of the Artistic Infiorata, which takes place in the heart of the town’s Renaissance village along Corso dei Mille. The event is entirely organized by the Historical Confraternity of the Holy Sacrament of Marineo, led by Superior Claudio Pesco (who takes care of the religious aspect), and by the Association “La Notte dell’Infiorata” led by Gaetana Azzara, who takes care of the artistic-cultural aspect.
Devozione, fede e arte. Una festa da 30 anni
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