Palermo: Santa Rosalia rebel. Lo Sperone transforms into outdoor museum.

Last Updated: October 11, 2024

Palermo, ecco la Santa Rosalia ribelle. Lo Sperone diventa un museo a cielo aperto

Santa Rosalia peers out from the wall of an eco-monster in Lo Sperone and her rebellious gaze, with which she protects a little Rosalia, is a challenge to the present: this is how children and young people of the popular neighborhood of Palermo saw her this morning, which has now become a museum in the open air with 14 murals. “The Rebel Rosalies – explained Antonella Di Bartolo, principal of the Sperone Pertini institute – is an important step in a path of awareness and self-determination in which we try to grow together with families, our children. and our girls. For us they are Rosalies like Rosalies, it is aimed at girls and boys in equal measure. It is a rebellion that does not lead to raising voice and hands, but leads to raising their heads, to distance themselves from what they do not like, do not convince and are not consistent with their own feelings, their will and their desires. This rebellion is depicted in the mural by a girl who takes the distance, with this posture, which is a cultured artistic citation, from Van Dyck, but which perfectly interprets with this straight and proud gaze, the positioning of our girls and boys. It seems beautiful to us that Giulio Rosk interpreted a Santa Rosalia who looks at and supports all passers-by with a clear and welcoming gaze and who embraces with sweetness and firmness our little Rosalia. Both symbols of rebellion that arise from the awareness and freedom that is gradually being built step by step, moment by moment, at school and outside school”.

“The work – adds Rosk – represents one of the most classic iconographies of Santa Rosalia, but does not limit itself to depicting the Saint. Next to her, in fact, the image of a girl appears. Both are rebellious figures: Rosalies who do not accept the present. On one hand, Santa Rosalia opposes and rebels against the impositions of her family; on the other hand, the little Rosalia, with an involuntary gesture of covering her nose (typical of those who perceive a bad smell), stares at us with an intense and contrite gaze. She too rejects the present and, through that gaze, seems to want to urge those who observe to change reality. The image recalls the figure of the angel present in Van Dyck’s Santa Rosalia, kept in the oratory of the Holy Rosary in San Domenico in Palermo. Also in that work, a little angel covers his nose, disturbed by the stench that spread in the streets of Palermo during the plague epidemic. This iconographic detail, in addition to taking up a historical element, becomes a symbol of a discomfort that crosses the ages and is renewed in the gaze of young Rosalia”. “It is a symbolic work – emphasizes the mayor, Roberto Lagalla – not only for the neighborhood, but for the whole city. Santa Rosalia liberated Palermo from the plague, but there are other plagues that characterize today’s society and influence our city and the concept of rebellion, in the highest sense of the term, must be a spur, especially for the younger generations who must not settle or passively accept what is wrong. Therefore, it is essential that these messages come especially from school”. “Our association – adds Antonella Angelini, president of L’arte per crescere – deals with breastfeeding, mothers, families that are able to overcome moments of criticality thanks to the support of other mothers, other families. With The Rebel Rosalies, a community project, we rediscover our original mission: being able to go beyond difficulties, plugging our noses if necessary, turning the page with the strength of spirit that only gentle rebellion can generate. A rebellion done together, with others, not against. Our hope is that the women and mothers of Lo Sperone and all of Palermo can be inspired by this wall to go beyond their daily struggles”.