L'Italo-Americano

www.italoamericano.org 10 THURSDAY, JUNE 1 2017 L'Italo-Americano E very spring, thousands of tourists descend on the p i c t u r e s q u e c i t y o f Siracusa in the southeast corner of Sicily, drawn to an experience unlike any other: Seeing Greek theater come alive in the same d r a m a t i c , o p e n - a i r s e t t i n g enjoyed by the ancient Greeks 2,000 years ago. The Greek Theatre Festival, started more than 100 years ago, is staged in the amphitheater of Siracusa's archeological park. Constructed around 500 B.C, this historical treasure is one of the largest open-air theaters ever built. The 59 white stone rows o n c e a c c o m m o d a t e d u p t o 15,000 spectators, and play- wrights such as Aeschylus pre- miered their work on that very stage. Yet a second outdoor theater festival focusing on youth per- formances has risen recently to international prominence. Begun in 1991, the International Youth Festival of Classical Theatre is held at the ancient Greek ruins of Akrai, some 25 miles to the west of Siracusa. Built in the 7th century B.C. and excavated in 1824, Akrai is located just out- s i d e t h e c h a r m i n g t o w n o f Palazzolo Acreide, a hidden gem perfect for visitors seeking a more authentic local experi- ence. Siracusa's Greek Theater F e s t i v a l : T h i s f e s t i v a l h a s become one of the most impor- tant cultural events in Sicily today. Professional actors tackle the ancient roles and some of Italy's most prestigious directors get involved in the productions. L a s t y e a r ' s p e r f o r m a n c e s attracted nearly 120,000 specta- tors over a four-week period. This year, the festival has b e e n b u m p e d u p a n o t c h i n r e c o g n i t i o n o f t h e 2 , 7 5 0 t h anniversary of the founding of Siracusa. The current season will run two months, from May 8 to July 8. T h r e e p l a y s w i l l b e p e r - formed on alternate days: two t r a g e d i e s ( " S e v e n A g a i n s t Thebes" by Aeschylus and "The P h o e n i c i a n W o m e n " b y Euripedes) and one comedy, "The Frogs" by Aristophanes. T h e p e r f o r m a n c e s a r e enhanced by cultural events around the city. One of these is a new exhibit called "Siracusa: Image and Imagination," on dis- play in the underground vaults b e n e a t h P i a z z a D u o m o . T h e exhibit includes 40 maps and other historic images depicting Siracusa from the early 16 th century through the demolition of the city walls in the late 19 th century. It runs through Oct. 15. The display is worth the price of admission, if only to walk through the atmospheric under- ground space, full of shadows, echoes and the sound of drip- p i n g w a t e r . I t s l o c a t i o n f a r below ground made a perfect refuge for residents seeking to escape the Allied bombings of World War II; photos from that era are on permanent display there. Palazzolo Acreide's Youth RITA CIPALLA Spring is Greek theater month in Sicily F e s t i v a l : W h e n t h e I n t e r - n a t i o n a l Y o u t h F e s t i v a l o f C l a s s i c a l T h e a t r e s t a r t e d i n 1991, only 26 student groups participated, all but one from Italy. This year's festival, which runs May 6 to June 7, includes 3,000 students from 90 schools throughout Europe. About 30 percent of the schools are locat- ed in Sicily. The rest are from other towns in Italy as well as from Spain, Greece, Germany, F r a n c e , S e r b i a , T u n i s i a , Belgium and Russia. Unlike the Siracusa festival which stages only three plays, P a l a z z o l o A c r e i d e ' s Y o u t h Festival offers a broad line-up of ancient comedies and dramas. This year's selection includes such well-known classics as "Antigone," "Media" and "The Birds," among others. Although billed as a youth festival, the performances are far from ama- teurish, and the young actors work hard to bring the ancient dialogue to life, putting their own stamp on each production. "The Youth Festival is an event that aims to raise aware- n e s s a m o n g s t u d e n t s a n d schools about the tradition of classical culture," said Luca Russo, vice-mayor of Palazzolo Acreide. "It helps keep alive the roots of our history, and makes young people more aware of having and safeguarding this great cultural richness." For the f i r s t t i m e , t h e f e s t i v a l w a s o p e n e d b y s t u d e n t s f r o m Palazzolo's local high school, performing in "The Bacchae" by Euripides. Students are encouraged to experiment and make the plays r e l e v a n t , a c c o r d i n g t o t h e National Institute of Ancient Drama, or INDA, the sponsoring organization. This advice was taken to heart at a recent perfor- mance of "The Frogs" staged by a French school from Versailles. Masked characters played mod- ern world leaders, including a pair who were clearly Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth. The music ranged from pop to rock to rap, and break-dancing made its way on stage, as well. Even with the modern-day song and dance, the student per- f o r m a n c e s a r e m e t i c u l o u s l y staged, using creative masks, colorful costumes and sparse but clever backdrops. Masks were a traditional feature of ancient Greek productions. Their fixed facial features helped the actors exaggerate their expressions and allowed them to play multiple roles or genders. At Akrai, there are three to four plays performed each day. After a few hours of sitting on the stone steps of the ancient amphitheater, it's a pleasure to w a l k i n t o n e a r b y P a l a z z o l o Acreide, with its picturesque buildings, intricately carved bal- c o n i e s a n d s t o n e a r c h w a y s . Completely destroyed in a 1693 earthquake, along with other towns in the region, Palazzolo was rebuilt in the Baroque archi- tectural style. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2002. Dinner options abound in Palazzolo, known for its innova- tive cuisine and excellent selec- tion of restaurants. Try Trattoria del Gallo where you'll get a warm welcome from co-owners Eros Rizza and Gianni Savasta, along with a delicious selection of antipasti and pizza. Another f a v o r i t e d i n i n g s p o t , t u c k e d away down a narrow side street, is Quel Che C'e. Its seasonal ingredients and locally-sourced a n t i p a s t o r u s t i c o , e n j o y e d beneath a vaulted brick ceiling, ensure a meal you'll remember long after the final curtain call. A student group from Versailles, France, incorporated several world leaders, including Queen Elizabeth and Donald Trump, into a modern-day production of Aristophanes' comedy, "The Frogs." LA VITA ITALIANA TRADITIONS HISTORY CULTURE

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