Think Sicily Blog

There are two dates in modern Italian history that no one should forget: 23rd May 1992 and 19th July 1992.

On these two days, two enormous bomb blasts shook Palermo, Sicily and Italy, sending tremors around the world: Giovanni Falcone, first, and then Paolo Borsellino, symbols of the fight against organised crime, had been murdered by the Mafia.

Every year the work and lives of these heroic investigating magistrates are celebrated with processions, concerts and memorial services. This year, statues of the two men have been placed in Via Liberta’, one of the city’s main thoroughfares, a touching tribute to two of Palermo’s favourite sons.

Falcone, sitting on one of the street’s benches, looks up at Borsellino as they share a joke and a smoke together, a familiar image of the two friends and colleagues.

The statues of Falcone and Borsellino in Palermo, Sicily

There is never a bad time to visit the sublime baroque town of Noto! But if you did need an extra excuse, what could be better than the annual “Infiorata”, when the town’s main thoroughfares become carpeted with floral art… 

The streets of Noto during the Infiorata 2010 | Think Sicily

The festival takes place annually over the third weekend of May (this year the 15th and 16th) and the theme for 2010 was “the colours of music”.

A close-up of one of the works at the Infiorata in Noto | Think Sicily

Fittingly, there was also a series of concerts and other cultural events, making the event complete and well worth a visit… As we did!

The Infiorata of Noto 2010 | Think Sicily

It wasn’t to be. Palermo, despite beating Atalanta, were denied 4th place in Serie A by Sampdoria, who won at home against Napoli.

The Champions League will have to wait, but Europe will feature in Palermo’s 2010-2011 season in the form of the Europa League. Undoubtedly there will be some mouth-watering fixtures and some eminent visitors to the Barbera.

It’s been a great season for the rosanero who have honoured their supporters and the eagle on their badge! Until September…