The Dimostranza

Saint Cyrus’s mystery play is one of the truest expressions of local folk traditions. It is almost sure that it took place for the first time when the Holy Relic of the village Patron, his skull, arrived to Marineo in 1665.
Its birth is due to the need to show (in Italian “dimostrare”) to the believers some of the events of the Saint’s life.
During the centuries, the people have learnt the human history of this Saint and few other villages spend so much time to worship their protector. 
Today, the event (which took place the last time on August, 19 2000 at 16.00, leaving from Piazza Castello, the Castle Square) is played by some 250 local actors, with a precise attention to scenarios, costumes and acting.
“In August 1997, Nuccio Benanti, Nino Di Sclafani and Ciro Spataro had a book published by Thule Editor, whose title is “La Dimostranza di San Ciro a Marineo”, that is “Saint Cyrus’s mistery in Marineo".
In this book, the authors make a historical reconstruction of the event and a delicate and precise work of restoration of the original edition.”The oldest known document about the triumphal chariot of Marineo is a hand-book dating back to 1890. It tells the chronicle of Saint Cyrus’s festival; “Pulled by bulls - you can read - here’s the chariot coming on with music and precious decorations. Among so many people, it looks like a boat on the sea.” A little edition of the chariot is today presented in the last scene of the Dimostranza, as a scenic effect to glorify the most important part of the Saint’s life, the martyrdom.

The Cunnutta

For already 300 years, on Sunday morning, during the festival in August, peasants have gone walking or riding in procession to offer money or wheat to the Saint. This custom takes place at the end of the season of the gathering of wheat. 
La Cunnutta (the taking of religious gifts) is linked to the ancient Latin rites to thank Persephone’s mother, Cerere, for the good harvest. The spectator is struck by the coloured harness and the ancient fully decorated saddle-bags. It is one of the last traces of peasants’ civilisation, which is sadly disappearing.  

January 31 

St. Cyrus the poor Winter Festival, in honour to the Saint, with a very participated evening procession.
The most important moments of the festival are: the shots of fireworks at dawn (alborata);
the tour of the tambourine man; the end of the Mass, with all the people going out of the church.

March, 19

Saint Joseph
During the festival day, people set up a big table in the Churchyard, where the Holy Family, acted by local actors in costumes, takes its meal. Once, the rich lunch was given to the poor people of the village, taking part to the party. After the meal, some little sacred breads are distributed to the onlookers.

March and April

Holy Week rites

Palm Sunday
Procession following Jesus on a donkey and a group of merry children, a palm or an olive branch in their hand

Holy Thursday
Night singing by a group of young people who, at the sound of a traditional instrument called “la troccula”, sing the ancient songs about the Passion. On Thursday, inside the Cathedral, the Holy Sepulchre is decorated with the “lavureddi”, made with wheat germinated in the darkness.Holy Friday
Procession of the Grieved Virgin and of the Dead Christ, at the sad sound of a trumpet and a bass-drum

Easter
Spectacular procession, during which the Risen Christ meets the Holy Virgin

June

Corpus Domini
During the week after Corpus Domini festival, there are some processions reaching all the quarters of the village. People set up altars decorated with flowers and richly embroidered altar-clothes. Streets and balconies are adorned with flowers, embroidered blankets and table-clothes.

August  

La Cunnutta
Parade of horses and mules taking gifts (wheat or money) to the Village Protector, to thank him for a past grace or to ask for a new one.

La Dimostranza
Holy allegoric moving show, formed by 21 scenes, about Saint Cyrus’s life, acted along the streets by about 200 local actors. It is the most important event of the year, involving the whole village.
Related subjects:
Saint Cyrus
The Urn 
The congregation

September  

Madonnuzza (Holy Virgin) Festival
Pilgrimage to Scanzano little church

Poetic award “Città di Marineo”, already at the XXV edition, a reference point for poets writing in Italian or in Sicilian dialect. 

November

Oil Festival
Home-made bread festival

December

Holy living Crib under the Rock (on December, 24 and 25, and on January, 6).
Other traditional cribs are set up in the village churches.