Down to Modica Bassa this evening for the last part of our famous Eurochocolate festival: this celebrates pure, Modican chocolate and now attracts visitors from all over the world. I'm sure that some of my readers would think they were in heaven, as there is just stall after stall selling chocolate or chocolate products!
I must say that this event shows that the Sicilians can get themselves organised when they want to: there were shuttle buses from this district and from nearby towns and a ticket kiosk had been set up right by the stop. [There can be few visitors to Sicily or even Italy in general who have not tried to catch a bus somewhere, then discovered that the tickets have to be purchased at a location many metres away, and by the time you get one, you have , of course, missed your bus!]
The atmosphere was very jovial and it was nice to see the Corso pedestrianised [I think it should be all the time]. But I couldn't find any "chocolate statues" as I did last year, to photograph: maybe I would have had I been able to get down there earlier in the week.
However, I did find a display of sflilato - delicate, Sicilian drawn-thread embroidery- which I love and have mentioned before. I was allowed to take these photographs.
I found food items I hadn't seen before, too, in the form of these delicate "spreads " [one gel-like, one cream-like in texture] that can be used with cheese, meat and even ice cream. I was given a chart showing just which cheeses, etc., each one could be used with, so I am going to enjoy myself experimenting with them!
Things were only really getting going as I left at 7.30pm, so the Modicani will be enjoying themselves late into the night.
And today our San Giorgio has had his official outing, having been carried around the streets since 5 pm. [The second picture is of firecrackers being let off in his honour at that hour.] I felt very emotional to learn, on TV just now, that earlier his procession had stopped at the house of that most beloved of Modican citizens, Nino Baglieri. I think that shows a fine sense of propriety: the saint does homage to one of his most devoted followers. There was no sadness here, just the saint's carriers applauding and shouting "Nino" , and Nino's family seeming so happy to see them all. What a fine way to celebrate a life and a saint.
14 comments:
How much fun that seems, oh to be in Sicily!!It is just a joy to see how the European countries celebrate...UK is boring and lacking in any celebrations whatsoever..Dull and Unviting Britain..come and visit..Don't think so !!
I always admire beautiful works of embroidery. The festival sounds and looks like a fun place to be :-)
It must have been such fun. That embroidery is gorgeous - next time I'm over, I'll definitely buy a piece. And I'm sure you'll have fun trying out all the various ways to taste the cheeses and spreads.
It sounds as if it was a fun day and I'm glad you got some photos for your readers.
Ah Chocolate, food of the gods, which they let us share with them.
Shhh! Anyone looking, Welshcakes? Well I love the embroidery too. :)
Absolutely brilliant - what a tremendous place to be and no wonder people enjoy their lives more than the UK. I have enjoyed that lovely Sicilian chocolate myself *winks* its very different to what you expect isn't it?
The captcha letters below are unreadable so I expect it will take me a few goes to get the comment published...
Miss your usual chocolate photos.
I've never seen clouds like that!
Chocolate festival....mmm! There is an oyster festival in Falmouth it is said to be fun but I have never got to it.
They're not chocolate spreads, are they?
It all looks like great fun.
And now I have an impossible word verifier to translate!
Yip, I was right: impossible! Now to try again.
Two chocolate related festivities within a month or so then, for Sicilians.
Do they do chocolate models of St George?
I remember this festival from last year. Your Sicilians always know how to push the boat out.
And their handicrafts are wonderful, they obviouly on't spend their evenings blogging.
Sounds like such fun :-) I love the lace!
Hi, Anne, You will come back one day and we will meet! Hi, nunyaa. I'm sure you would love it! Ciao, Leslie. Yes, it's lovely and I do intend to have fun witht he spreads. Hi, jmb. Yes, I'm glad I found something other than bars of choc to snap! I won't tell anyone, James! Hi, Mutley. Yes, it is very different to the choc we are used to, isn't it? You'd have loved the atmosphere! I, too, am finding the word vefif illegible these days. Sorry about that, WW. Hi, mary ann. Yes, unusual, I thought. Hi, kissa, You must get there one day and tell us all about it! Hi, Liz, no, not choc, but wine-based spreads. The word vefif is driving me barmy these days - must be getting old! I haven't seen any, Crushed, but they do marzipan models of nearly everything else! Hi, Ellee. Yes, they do know how to enjoy a festa. You're right about how they spend their evenings!
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