Festa di San Paolo 2018 - Palazzolo Acreide (SR), Sicily
The feast of Saint Paul, begins in the evening of June 28 with the “svelata” or a sciuta ra cammira (in sicilian dialect), the moment when the statue (which was covered by a red curtain until then), is taken out of its chamber situated over the main altar. While the curtain is drawn open, devotees cry and firecrackers explode. Both the “svelata” such as the “velata” (when the saint goes back into its chamber and the curtain is drawn until the following year), are moments full of emotion and faith. The statue of the saints do not remain exposed inside the churches along the year and it is possible to see them only during the of these feasts, thus these two moments always being loaded with emotions. In the morning of June 29, people offer lavender, called “a spica ri San Paulu” and typical bread called the “cuddure, which are taken to be blessed. The most expected moment of this whole celebration is the “sciuta”, always at 1 pm, which is the moment when the statue is taken outside, carried on the shoulders of of the devotees. While the statue is taken outside the church, strips of colored paper called nzareddi are thrown into the air and finally the procession begins through the streets of Palazzolo Acreide. Another procession takes place in the evening followed by fireworks and then the statue is retired. The statue remains over the altar of the church during the whole week and excatly 8 days later, the octave of the feast is celebrated with an amazing lights and videos projection over the church followed by another procession in the evening and fireworks at the end. The statue is finally taken inside the church and placed on its chamber where it will remain covered again until the following year (the “velata”). A beautiful moment of the feast of Saint Paul is the “sciuta”, which is considered by many people the most beautiful of all the religious feasts of Palazzolo Acreide.
La fête de Saint Paul, le saint patron de Palazzolo Acreide, commencent au 28 juin avec le dévoilement (svelata ou a sciuta ra cammira en dialect siclien), le moment durant lequel on sort la statue de sa niche situé sur l’autel majeur, et qui jusqu’à ce moment était couverte par un rideau rouge. La “svelata” ainsi que la “velata” (la voilé) - qui est le moment durant lequel le saint est réposé de nouveau dans sa niche et ensuite cachet par un rideau rouge jusqu’à l’année suivante - sont des moments pleins d’èmotion et de foi. Le matin du 29 Juin, des rameaux de lavande (appelée a spica ri San Paulu) et du pain typique (appelé cuddure), sont portés pour être bénis et puis distribués à les personnes. Lemoment le plus attendu de toute la fête est la sciuta (la sortie), toujours à 13 heures, le moment que la statue est portée dans l’exterieur de l'église soutenue sur les épaules des fidèles. En ce moment là, divers papiers colorés appelés nzareddi sont lancés de l’église voltiges dans l’air et la procession commence a parcourir les rues de Palazzolo Acreide. Un autre procession a lieu le soir suivie par des feaux d’artifice et ensuite on rentre la statue à l’interieur de l’église. Pendant 8 jours on peut admirer la statue de Saint Paul sur l’autel de l’église, où elle est laissée pendant toute la semaine. Exactement 8 jours après sa prémière sortie, il y a l’octave de la fête. Une autre procession le soir aussi importante que la première et suivie elle aussi par des feux d'artifice. Après cette procession on ramène la statue à l’interieur de l’église et on la place à l’interieur de sa niche où elle reste couverte jusq'uà l'année suivante. Un moment très beaux de la fête Saint Paul est la “sciuta” considerée par beaucoup de personnes la plus belle de toutes les fêtes religieuses de Palazzolo Acreide.
A festa em homenagem à São Paulo, tem início na noite de 28 junho com a svelata chamada a sciuta ra cammira (em dialeto siciliano), o momento em que a cortina que cobre a estátua sobre o altar é retirada. A “svelata” assim como a “velata” (quando o santo é coberto até o ano seguinte), são momentos cheios de fé e emoção. O momento mais esperado de toda festa é a sciuta, quando a estátua é levada para fora da igreja carregada nos ombros dos fiéis. Enquanto a estátua é carregada para fora, diversos papéis coloridos são lançados para o alto e a procissão tem início.
Palazzolo Acreide is a small village in the province of Syracuse, Sicily and it's listed as one of UNESCO heritage sites. It's located in the Hyblean mountains at 670m above sea level.
An earthquake in 1693 destroyed a great part of Palazzolo Acreide which was later rebuilt in the baroque style.
Visit Palazzolo Acreide and discover the wonders of this beautiful village in Sicily full of history and traditions!!!
All videos recorded with Samsung Galaxy. I use two cell phones to record videos and take photos during these feasts. If you wish to see my photos, see my gallery on Instagram: