Mistretta - Inauguration of the "Noi" Wooden Sculpture sicily
Artist Nino Lipari has donated the sculpture 'Noi' (We), crafted from the trunk of a felled century-old fir tree, to the community
Riccardo Zingone 12/08/2024 0
The echoes of the inauguration of The Sea Road mural in Torremuzza have barely faded, and the Halaesa-Nebrodi territory is already enriched by another important and evocative work of art: "Noi: Inizio di una nuova vita" (Us: Beginning of a New Life), by Antonino Lipari, known to all of us as Nino.
We are in Mistretta, within the majestic municipal park named after Giuseppe Garibaldi, and the artwork stands where, until recently, a magnificent Norway Spruce (Picea abies) once proudly stood. The cycle of life accustoms us to its fluctuating rhythm, where life precedes death, and death — sometimes — generates life. And so, after several centuries of silent and undisturbed existence, the fir tree became irreversibly diseased to the point that, to safeguard public safety, the city authorities decreed its removal about a year ago.
The community began to wonder how to fill the large void left by the impending demise of the majestic tree. While initiatives were being considered, the administrators decided to completely trim its crown, which was by then irreparably diseased, and to preserve the vast majority of its trunk, which was healthy enough to envision reusing the resulting timber.
An Unexpected Gift
Then, at a certain point, a young carpenter from Mistretta, Nino Lipari, knocked on the mayor's door. With his characteristic politeness, he suggested carving an artwork, a sculpture, from the remaining trunk: "I'll take care of everything," Nino said, "and I don't want to be paid."
It must be said that Nino is not new to the art of wood carving; in the past, through private commissions, he had already demonstrated artistic skills that transcend those of a simple, albeit very skilled, artisan. But now things became decidedly more serious, and he would have to put himself out there, exposing his work to public judgment. Yet Nino was confident; he knew what he was doing, had clear ideas, and possessed the skills to realize them. Thus, he immediately gained the mayor's trust, and work began just a few months after the tree's removal.
Access to the left avenue leading to the central square of the park was closed, opaque nets were put up, and simultaneously, the curiosity of passersby grew. They could barely glimpse scaffolding, the outline of the fir trunk, and Nino moving around it, but nothing more. The work lasted several months, and finally, on the evening of August 11th, the artwork was inaugurated, coinciding with the restoration of the lighting of the main gate of the municipal park.
"Noi": A Symbol of Love and Renewal
Noi blossomed at dusk on a pleasant August evening, contrasting with the sad days of the cutting of the majestic mother-plant that had held it in its womb for three centuries. In this journey that intertwines life with death, and allows death to generate life, Nino sensed the presence, in that trunk otherwise destined for the sadness of abandonment, oblivion, if not destruction, of an opportunity for rebirth and regeneration that could take shape through his hands, his tools, and his heart.
Nino then chose to embark on a reinterpretation of José Luis Santes's The Embrace and thus decided to celebrate his love for his land through the tender and eternal embrace between two lovers. It is a message so simple in its genuineness that, at times, we don't fully grasp its power. But Nino, with his artwork that he decided to give to the community, reminds us that giving oneself to others is also a form of love, that solidarity among people is an act of love, as is gratitude, and that one can become a father infinitely, just as he himself demonstrated by transforming a raw and shapeless piece of wood into a magnificent work of art that all of us can enjoy and through which we will have opportunities to reflect on the true meaning of life.
With these brief words, we extend a warm virtual hug to Nino, his family, and his collaborators, along with a sincere thank you for the significant gesture he performed.
Learn about the Operators and the Project of GMT Halaesa-Nebrodi.
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In Pettineo, Andrea Buglisi's street art meets sport and inclusion
In the heart of Pettineo, a work comes to life that unites beauty, social commitment, and youth participation. Thanks to the Associazione Dialogos, which actively operates in the area with the aim of promoting culture and involving new generations, a monumental mural has been created as part of the project financed by the PNRR "Attractiveness of Villages," included in the broader program "Coast and Alesine Valleys: an itinerary to rediscover the villages of Castel di Lucio, Motta d'Affermo, and Pettineo."
The work, titled Dynamic Flow, is signed by the renowned Palermo artist Andrea Buglisi, who has been a point of reference in the national street art scene for years. The mural, located on Via Credenza, is striking for its expressive power and meaning, addressing a central theme for community growth: sport as a tool for inclusion.
"Timeless figures, suspended in an eternal gesture, merge into a single dance of strength and harmony. Taut muscles trace trajectories like lines on a map of an imaginary city, symbolizing humanity in motion. Sport becomes a universal language: it unites peoples, races, and cultures, breaking down borders and building bridges between the cities of the world. It is living, pulsating energy that ignites the spirit and celebrates the elegance of the athletic gesture transformed into rhythm, into art. A tribute to the spectacle of sport: timeless, placeless, an emblem of loyalty, sacrifice, and a shared dream. A powerful message to transmit to new generations, so that they may inherit it and continue its journey." -Andrea Buglisi
To celebrate and share the profound meaning of this work with the community, a presentation day has been organized for Saturday, June 29, dedicated to sport and inclusion, with the artist in attendance. A celebration open to everyone, full of events for both children and adults.
The day's program includes:
- Morning
- Art workshop for children, to introduce younger audiences to visual and creative language.
- Exhibition of the canvases from Antonio Presti's Fiumara d'arte, a symbol of dialogue between territories and artistic visions.
- Afternoon
- Sports games for children and a sports circuit for adults, to experience the mural's theme firsthand, through movement and sharing.
- 7:00 PM:
- Official inauguration of the "Dynamic Flow" mural
- Public conference with the artist Andrea Buglisi, to delve deeper into the meaning of the work and the creative process that generated it.
The project actively involved young people, citizens, and students in a participatory process that transformed a wall into a collective symbol. The mural thus becomes not only a work of art but a visual monument to solidarity, diversity, and the power of teamwork.
This initiative is part of a month rich in events in the Nebrodi villages, alongside events like the Pettineo Short Movie Fest, Medievalia in Castel di Lucio, and the Euterpe Fest in Motta d'Affermo. An intense calendar that testifies to the cultural vitality of these territories and the central role of local associations in promoting innovative and inclusive projects.
«We wanted to build something that would last over time – states the Associazione Dialogos – a work that speaks of future and sharing, and that could inspire new generations to believe in the value of sport as a metaphor for life.»
Photo credits: Sara Rizzo
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Inner Areas: Italy's True Beating Heart
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This phenomenon has not spared the western edge of the Nebrodi area, comprising the Municipalities of Mistretta, Santo Stefano di Camastra, Reitano, Castel di Lucio, Pettineo, Tusa, and Motta d’Affermo, as evidenced by data collected between 2002 and 2022 (ISTAT). The unforgiving numbers tell us that this area experienced an average population decrease of -17%, with peaks of -30%, in terms of resident population.
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The GMT™ Halaesa Nebrodi and Regional Applicability of the Model
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Mistretta - Saint Sebastian's Celebrations - August 18th-sicily
Feast of Saint Sebastian in Mistretta: Religious Celebrations and Traditions
The city of Mistretta is preparing to honor Saint Sebastian the Martyr, Patron Saint of the Nebrodi community, with a rich program of events involving both faithful and visitors.
Start of Celebrations – August 11th
The festivities begin on August 11th with the solemn ringing of bells, marking the official opening of the celebrations in honor of Saint Sebastian. The evening will continue with a performance by the I.C. Tommaso Aversa Orchestra in "Note di Notte" (Night Notes), an unmissable musical event.
Triduum and Traditional Activities – August 15th-17th
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Culminating Day – August 18th
August 18th is the most anticipated day: the Holy Mass will precede the Solemn Procession of the Simulacrum of Saint Sebastian and his relics, which will pass through the streets of Mistretta. To conclude, a fireworks display will illuminate the sky, followed by a show by Pippo Palmieri, directly from Radio 105's Zoo.
Concert by Danilo Sacco – August 19th
On August 19th, Danilo Sacco will hold a concert that promises to engage and captivate the audience. The evening will conclude with the drawing of raffle prizes, adding a further touch of excitement to the festivities.
Closing of Celebrations – August 25th
The festivities in honor of Saint Sebastian will officially conclude on the following Sunday, August 25th, with the traditional solemn ringing of bells that will bid farewell to participants and close this week of celebrations.