The website dedicated to the Sanctuary of the Madonna dei Miracoli in Mistretta is now online-Sicily

The Spirit of Agri Med Europe 2026 and the Value of Hospitality

A magnificent celebration of the people, welcoming its guests in the best possible way. Ultimately, this is what Agri Med Europe 2026 was all about: a massive, choral embrace through which an entire territory chose to showcase itself to the world by sharing the very best it has to offer. Welcoming the international delegation brought with it several values and meanings that go far beyond a standard moment of institutional courtesy. Indeed, it reinforced the principle that the Mediterranean must be interpreted as a place of encounter rather than conflict; that territorial boundaries must be overcome through cohesion among peoples; and that the word guest—a term that in antiquity simultaneously encompassed the concepts of "the host" and "the hosted"—proved that the principle of hospitality was an undeniable aspect of human dignity. These are tough concepts to swallow in times when there is endless talk of barriers, border defenses, and "racial" or ethnic distinctions. Thanks to the political activity of the D-MED Political Committee in strengthening dialogue among Mediterranean countries, and to the hospitality offered by a small corner of the magnificent Nebrodi mountain range, an exceptional example of welcome, intercultural dialogue, and mutual friendship was put on display.

The Conference: "What is Needed from Europe to Support Agricultural Producers"

Agri Med Europe was therefore conceived and realized to grant visibility to the Nebrodi region through its cultural and traditional values. The agri-food and ceramic sectors channel themselves perfectly into this path, serving as a genuine expression of local identity. The exhibitors' stands (nineteen dedicated to Nebrodi agri-food products and six to ceramics from Santo Stefano), carefully positioned along the charming side streets lining the long Via Vittorio Veneto in Santo Stefano di Camastra, revealed themselves to visitors only as they passed by, making it impossible to spot them from a distance. This image, which the organizers perhaps unintentionally offered to the public, serves as a metaphor for the hard, silent, and sometimes invisible work behind companies that struggle daily to keep their businesses running amidst restrictions, bureaucracy, and often incomprehensible regulations.

Institutional Dialogue with MEP Antoci and Territorial Marketing

These were the key themes that emerged from the dialogue between producers and Europe during the meeting held between the exhibitors present at Agri Med Europe and MEP Antoci, at the foot of the Mother Church of the city of ceramics. The numerous speeches that followed reinforced the need for mutual collaboration between operators and institutions, based on and supported by a careful territorial marketing plan, as the only way to provide concrete answers to the various sectors that form the social and economic backbone of the territory. These insights and requests were promptly welcomed by the MEP who, as a supporter and practitioner of the "politics of doing," made himself available to listen closely to the producers. Together, they are working on a comprehensive territorial organization project that takes into account the needs, critical issues, and enormous potential that sometimes struggle to express themselves due to a lack of up-to-date marketing strategies.

Equally interesting and meaningful was the participation of the I.I.S. "A. Manzoni" of Mistretta, represented by the Hospitality School based in Santo Stefano di Camastra. The synergy sparked between this institution and the Slow Food Nebrodi operators—which materialized in the presentation of several iconic local dishes—further reinforced the concept that agri-food traditions must not only be preserved but, above all, passed down from generation to generation, recognizing food as a powerful expression of identity.

The Official Inauguration and Folk Traditions in Celebration

The strong emotional charge following the ribbon-cutting ceremony—performed by the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union, the Egyptian Mohamed M. Abou El Enein, and the President of the D-MED Political Committee, MEP Giuseppe Antoci—was palpable throughout the entire event. It accompanied the delegation and the audience until the manifestation closed late in the evening. This emotion quickly turned into amazement at the very first musical notes, which accompanied the striking dances of the Giants of Mistretta through the streets of Santo Stefano. These iconic symbols of the Nebrodi city's identity were followed by festive performances from the Amastra folk group, the Santa Cecilia Musical Association of Santo Stefano di Camastra, the cheerleaders of the I.C. Tusa-Mistretta, and the large, colorful group of the Jews of San Fratello (Giudei di San Fratello). This wonder was immediately evident from the vast number of smartphones held high in the air, eager to capture unique images to show back home or to share instantly via social media livestreams, thus providing an exceptional and deeply meaningful promotional opportunity for the territory.

The Final Message: The Strategic Centrality of the Nebrodi and Sicily

Drawing from these sensations, impressions, and the resulting economic development prospects for the region, Agri Med Europe delivers a powerful message: the Nebrodi area, bolstered by its biodiversity and authenticity, can and must play a strategic role in the economic and social development of the territory, thanks to the recognized and reinforced central role of Sicily within Mediterranean economic and trade routes.

Exhibitors in Attendance:

Terre audaci, Gelateria artigianale Giovanni Alferi, Acquafico Garden, Dei Casabona, Il vecchio carro, Il Melograno, Il Cavaliere, La dispensa del massaro, Caseificio Albereto, Dolci tentazioni, Condotta Slow Food Nebrodi, A.Fioriglio, 24 Baroni, Li paternosci, Casaleni Natural Bio, Villa Colonna, Ceramiche Serravale, Nadal, Le Malagioie, Le terrecotte del soleil, Nino Ferrigno, Zolea Art & Design.

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

Today, through the pages of our website, we're launching a new partnership that not only unites nearby communities but, more importantly, brings together two territories of immense tourist appeal under one grand project: the Sicilian hinterland and the Tyrrhenian coast.

This exciting collaboration is thanks to the experiential tourism initiative spearheaded for several years by Nicosia di Sicilia and the team of Salvatore Burrafato, Samuel Granata, and Valentina Bircher. By combining captivating accommodations, delectable food and wine itineraries, and a wealth of professionalism, they've crafted some truly interesting tourism packages. The heart of this project lies in the beautiful town of Nicosia, in the province of Enna, home to the accommodations managed by Valentina and Manuel. However, its scope extends with keen interest across the entire hinterland, where the Erei mountains gaze upon the majestic Etna, stretching across vast fields of cereals and grains, and where prickly pears, olives, and fruit trees have always thrived.

These are also the very places where cattle and pig farming, along with sheep herding, were and remain driving forces of the local economy. Today, these areas are also looking with renewed interest at forgotten crops like saffron. Just a few kilometers from Nicosia lies Salvatore's ancient and charming farmhouse, carved into the rock, where guests can embark on a delightful food and wine journey, perfect for indulging in genuine flavors and fully relaxing amidst nature.

With Salvatore, Manuel, and Valentina, we've envisioned uniting our projects to create a truly special and unique tourism package. This package starts in the hinterland, travels along the ancient "Via del Grano" (Grain Route), and culminates in Halaesa, a place where, in ancient times, ships at anchor in the port were loaded with foodstuffs to be distributed to Rome.

The days our guests spend with us will be enriched with food and wine tastings and guided tours that, starting from Nicosia, will touch various municipalities within Halaesa-Nebrodi. There will also be time to enjoy moments of pure relaxation, ensuring travelers' memories are filled with truly unforgettable images and experiences.

The complete Halaesa-Nebrodi Catalog, featuring all the proposed tourist packages, will be released shortly.