L'Italo-Americano

www.italoamericano.org 8 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2025 L'Italo-Americano g r a t e d — p a r t i c u l a r l y t o America — because migra- tion stories, despite their dif- ferences, share a common thread. Yet celebrating joy does not mean forgetting the s o r r o w o f l e a v i n g o n e ' s homeland; rather, it serves as a reminder that, just as Turi Zampino returned, so too can others. Like Colom- b i n a , P u l c i n e l l a , a n d Arlecchino, the Murgo has now become a popular Car- nival mask, forever linked to the spirit of Gioiosa Marea. Red, white, and black are the signature colors of the Murgo's attire, and from this palette emerged a dish that has since become a culi- n a r y s p e c i a l t y o f G i o i o s a Marea: handmade linguine prepared with buckwheat f l o u r a n d e n r i c h e d w i t h squid ink, giving the pasta its distinctive dark hue. A vari- ety of seafood enhances the sauce — a fitting tribute to T u r i Z a m p i n o , w h o , a s a f i s h e r m a n , c o u l d o n l y b e honored with a dish cele- brating the flavors of the sea. Other local ingredients com- plete the recipe, including Pachino cherry tomatoes, wild fennel, and pine nuts— staples of many traditional Sicilian dishes. Naturally, no m e a l w o u l d b e c o m p l e t e without a glass of Murgo G i o i o s a n o , a l o c a l l y p r o - duced wine that perfectly complements this symbolic 4th, with the final parade and one last night of celebra- tion. At its heart, Carnival is a c e l e b r a t i o n o f l i f e , j o y , f r i e n d s h i p , t o g e t h e r n e s s , playfulness, freedom, and the art of disguise. It is a moment to reconnect with one's roots, to break from routine, and for a brief time, t o b e c o m e s o m e o n e — o r something — entirely differ- ent. What makes this Carni- val stand out among Sicily's m a n y o t h e r s i s i t s n a m e : Murgo. The Murgo is a char- acter dressed in a tailcoat and top hat, leading a small, wildly colorful and eccentric marching band while playing the violin. Its origins can be traced back to the Murga tradition of Argentina. I t w a s C a p t a i n T u r i Zampino who first brought t h i s t r a d i t i o n t o G i o i o s a M a r e a . H a v i n g l e f t f o r Argentina in search of for- tune, he immersed himself i n t h e l o c a l f o l k d a n c e s b e f o r e r e t u r n i n g h o m e , b r i n g i n g w i t h h i m w h a t would eventually become an integral part of the town's Carnival. Over time, this fig- u r e h a s b e c o m e t h e v e r y identity of Gioiosa Marea's festivities, embodying its culture, history, and tradi- tions. T h e M u r g o h o l d s d e e p meaning for those who have family or friends who emi- dish. Of course, no discussion of Sicilian Carnival cuisine would be complete without mentioning the cannolo, the island's most iconic Car- nival dessert. While enjoyed throughout Sicily, in Paler- mo, it is practically revered. This exquisite pastry con- sists of a crisp, cylindrical shell — its name, cannolo, r e f e r r i n g t o i t s t u b e - l i k e shape — made from a dough of flour, honey, sugar, and rosé wine, which gives it its d e l i c a t e c r i s p n e s s b e f o r e being fried in lard. It is then filled with rich sheep's ricot- t a c r e a m , s t u d d e d w i t h chocolate chips, and topped with a candied orange peel — an absolute delight for the senses. Turning to history, some r e c o r d s s u g g e s t t h a t t h e first-ever carro allegorico—a grand allegorical float—was built in Palermo on March 3, 1 6 0 1 . I t d e p i c t e d t h e g o d N e p t u n e , s u r r o u n d e d b y dancing mermaids. Addi- tionally, some participants, dressed as slaves, performed t o t h e s o u n d o f T u r k i s h instruments, such as drums. A particularly curious tradi- tion featured entertainers dressed as pygmies, known as the Balla Virticchi. This peculiar name derives from the Latin verticulus, refer- r i n g t o t h e j o i n t s o f t h e human body or the heavier part of a spindle once used to wind wool thread. Sym- bolically, it represents a per- son moving frantically, striv- i n g t o r e a c h a g o a l — a n y goal—yet never quite suc- ceeding. The history of Carnival is vast, and while its customs vary from place to place, one element remains universal: the desire to come together, celebrate, dance, and indulge in food. And for a people who cherish the joys of life and have elevated cuisine to an art form, Carnival offers the perfect occasion to savor the pleasures of the table before stepping into Lent with a light heart — knowing that Easter, with its renewed triumph of joy, feasting, and togetherness, is just around the corner. A l o n g t h e r o u t e , s e v e r a l stops offer tastings of local specialties, leading up to the grand finale: the Nanà Car- nival Show. Here, the fes- tivities reach their peak, cap- turing the true essence of Carnival—a moment of pure joy and liberation before the s o l e m n i t y o f L e n t , w h e n merrymaking must be set aside. Gioiosa Marea's Carnival wouldn't be complete with- o u t t h e g r a n d p a r a d e o f carri allegorici — elaborate- ly decorated floats — which will take to the streets on February 23rd. The day will be filled with music, danc- ing, confetti, streamers, bal- loons, colors, and, above all, p u r e j o y — e s p e c i a l l y f o r children, but certainly not for them alone. On Giovedì Grasso (Fat Thursday), February 27th — a name that already evokes indulgence and festivity — the entire town will spill into the streets, actively taking part in the parade that will make its way through the historic center. This year, for the first time ever, the Carni- val organizers have intro- duced a nighttime parade on M a r c h 1 s t , a b r a n d - n e w addition aimed at encourag- ing even greater participa- tion from the community. The celebrations will culmi- n a t e o n M a r t e d ì G r a s s o (Shrove Tuesday), March I f Termini Imerese, in the metropolitan area of Palermo, and Sci- acca, in the province o f A g r i g e n t o , c o m - pete for the title of the oldest Carnival in Sicily" while Aci Reale, in the metropolitan area of Catania, claims to host "he most beautiful, they are far from being the only Sicilian cities that celebrate the island's most lively, bois- terous, and colorful festival of the year. Quite the con- trary! One such celebration is the Carnevale del Murgo, h e l d i n G i o i o s a M a r e a , part of the metropolitan city of Messina. Now in its 74th e d i t i o n , t h e f e s t i v a l r u n s from February 2nd to March 4th. Festivities begin with La Racchia — a character, usu- ally a woman, deliberately portrayed as unattractive, clumsy, and awkward, remi- n i s c e n t o f t h e t r a d i t i o n a l nanna, who is often accom- panied by the nanno, a figure that, as per Carnival tradi- tion, is symbolically burned at the close of the festivities. T h r o u g h o u t t h e c i t y streets, groups of adults and children spontaneously gath- e r i n c o s t u m e , w e a v i n g a multicolored parade through the historic center, accompa- n i e d b y l i v e l y m u s i c a n d impromptu dancing. Along t h e w a y , n u m e r o u s s t a l l s offer an array of local Carni- val delicacies, ensuring that no reveler goes hungry. The celebrations continue on February 16th with the Murgo, the true protagonist of the festival. This event fea- tures the grand parade of the M u r g h e , whose dazzling c o s t u m e s a n d e x u b e r a n t e n e r g y a r e i m p o s s i b l e t o miss. The rhythmic, infec- tious music accompanying them further fuels the festive atmosphere. As the proces- sion winds through the city, the streets transform into an open-air theater, setting the stage for this beloved tradi- tion that never fails to ignite excitement in both partici- pants and spectators alike. The parade sets off from Piazzetta della Murga — a f i t t i n g s t a r t i n g p o i n t — where singing and dancing set the tone for the revelry to come. Once the procession b e g i n s , t h e c r o w d i t s e l f becomes part of the specta- c l e , d r a w n i n t o t h e l i v e l y energy of the performers. TERESA DI FRESCO Carnevale del Murgo: a Sicilian Carnival with Argentine roots A colorful Sicilian mask, just like those you can see at the Carnevale del Murgo (Photo: Alfredo Steccanella/ Dreamstime) LIFE PEOPLE PLACES EVENTS

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