Siracusa, Sicily: "Sarausana je' Viva Santa Lucia!".
The crowd and the signs proudly proclaim in the Siracusan dialect that the beloved saint is a native of Siracusa. And it is true. She was born here, she died here, and she has worked miracles here. Last year we celebrated Saint Lucia in Belpasso. This year I was fortunate to spend a beautiful, sunny day in Siracusa...buying eye cookies, wandering the narrow streets of Ortigia, admiring this striking Caravaggio, and listening to the locals offer prayers to their patron Saint.
We have the opposite issue in our family from yours. This Jewish mama has a hard time getting in the spirit with the AmeriChristian holidays. I can muster up Christmas for my husband and kids (we wrote all of the music afterall - haha!) But days for saints are totally out of my comfort zone. Zach read about it on the calendar and whined about not celebrating. *sigh* The dance continues.
I wonder why they have all those cables running across the artwork. Not very attrachtive!
Cindy, it's true I do love these Saint Days...especially when it is my name Saint :)
Kelleyn, that is actually just a little shrine/memorial highlighting the miracle St. Lucia performed in Siracusa to save them for an extreme famine. It, like so many similar Siclian/Italian shrines, is built right into the side of a building on a small, curvy street. I agree with you about those cables not being a pretty addition, but it's one of the nitty gritty aspects of living in places where the old and the new are layered on top of each other.
Lucia hope you all are doing well. I love reading your blog - I feel like I take a little trip to Europe! Take care,
Bev Roman
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