Patroness of the city of Catania, the martyr whose cloak is said to have repeatedly stopped the lava now at the foot of the Etnean capital. We are talking about St. Agatha's.

From Feb. 3 to 6, Catania holds in his honor what now turns out to be the third largest religious festival in the world in terms of participation. More than a million devotees, tourists and onlookers flock to the city to see the procession dedicated to her. These are days when rivers of people in their white sacks, rope around their waists, gloves, black hat, handkerchief and cockade on their chests, on the side of their hearts, seem to flow.

These are the days of the ferculum of the Saint containing part of her remains. 30 quintals hauled by citizens through two cords more than 200 meters long, around the streets of Catania. These are the days of the candelore representing the city's trades. Weighing between 400 and 900 kilograms, they are carried on the shoulders of men for whom this festival takes on such profound significance that words cannot be found to express the sentiment.

These are the days of the market and fireworks displays, of wax covering the streets, of white handkerchiefs waving to the cry of "Citizens semu tutti devoti tutti" and that unequivocal response, "Cettu cettu!"

The festival has a few years ago obtained the Recognition of "Intangible Heritage" , preparatory to an eventual UNESCO recognition as an Intangible Heritage Site

Once again this year, we at Isola Bella Gioielli, who are particularly attached to our area, will be sponsors of Giovanni Anfuso's dramaturgy, which with 20 performers brings the life of the martyr to the stage.