A few weeks ago, I read an interview on the online site, www.sicilianconnections.com with the Sicilian born, American author FRANCESCA MIGNOSA whose recent book, 'MY SICILY" just garnered her  her second Italian literary award, 'Sicilia Mondo 2013". This was not only for her writing but for her overall ambassadorship in promoting Sicilia to the world. As soon as I saw the article, I said, "I have to get this book". It didn't take long before I received an email saying she was giving a talk about her book and growing up in Sicily, at the Italian American Museum in NYC! Needless to say, I went and was ecstatic to see her relate her overwhelming love for the island of her birth expressed in every word, phrase and sentence she so eloquently spoke.
After a lovely conversation and a few e mails, I asked her if she wouldn't mind speaking to my audience to share her passion and promote what she is doing to as wide an audience as possible.

I started by asking her to tell us a little about her life and how it influenced her desire to write this book and to promote Sicilia in general.

FM.  "I was born and raised in Augusta, Sicilia from a Sicilian father and a Sicilian American mother which probably helps to explain my geographical connection to both Sicilia and America. I can't really explain where my passion for writing came from except to say, I received my first diary book when I was five. I never stopped writing since then and  went on to receive a Masters in Screenwriting ( among others). I taught screenwriting and creative writing as well as working as a journalist and editor in chief of a prominent newspaper in Ohio where my family settled upon emigrating. A year  and a half ago, I decided to write my first book and dedicate it to my island, a magical place with which I am still so connected. At some point, my pen just took over and guided me in trying to convey all my deeply felt emotions regarding the culture, identity and spirit of Sicilia".

JZ. Being 16 at the time of emigrating here, what were the most difficult aspects of transitioning to this culture?

FM  My sister and I were brought up in a multicultural, multilingual home, where Italian, Sicilian, English and French were spoken so languages were a normal part of our development I can say they didn't pose any problems. My mom was a language teacher and we often had Study Abroad Students in our town constantly exposing us to various cultures and languages. We always lived in two cultures so  my transition was just a matter of geography basically. It was emotional in the sense of us having to leave our childhood friends ( we were only 16 and 14 at the time). It took us about three months for the initial culture shock to wear of but we were fine because we really did live in two cultures, often spending one to three months on vacation here in America".

JZ  You describe your book as a "Personal journey". Could you explain?

FM   The title, "MY SICILY" came about because  Sicily is NOT mine but belongs to all Sicilians, those who stayed and those who left as well as anyone who has an appreciation and love for her and all the things the island is. The title is because it is a book of  my personal memories, reflections, observations  and emotions expressed through my favorite places. The fact that I spent one and a half years researching the history, architecture, literature and cultural  aspects of the places most important to me hopefully makes this educational as well.

JZ. Your book has been very well received in Sicily. Please tell us about this.

FM  In October 2012, one month after the book was published, I received the prestigious, Italian Literary Award,"SICILIA MONDO 2013". My book is just a simple, genuine and transparent love letter to Sicily, an  island that even far away, still speaks to me very quietly, giving me so much joy and invigorating me every time I return. There are proposals to translate my book into Italian but I would like to do that myself when I have the time. This first book has resulted in so many interviews with newspapers and periodicals around the world so, again, I must find the time.

JZ  What projects are you involved in now and what do you have in mind? How can lovers of Sicilian culture assist?

FM   Right now Giuseppe, I am just writing. This entire year will be dedicated to 'My Sicily" book tours. The seeds are being planted for my second book but for now, you can follow me  on my blog at:

https://francescamignosa.wordpress.com   You can also purchase my book here as well.
I am also on Facebook  Francesca V. Mignosa ( author)

JZ  Is there anything you would like to add to help your message  get to as wide an audience as possible?

FM   I hope you will all visit Sicily one day soon. If you would like to travel with me, I will be leading a, "DREAMY ISLAND ESCAPE" to Sicily, The Aeolian Islands, Malta and Ponza in August  2013.
You can e mail me for additional information at   mignosafrancesca@gmail.com

Thank you so much Francesca for your time, passion and love of Sicily. Buona fortuna !

The L'opra dei Pupi  (Puppet theater) is a magical marionette theatrical representation of stories based on medieval chivalric literature and sources such as the Renaissance, lives of saints and tales of banditry.
Also extremely famous are the tales based on the poetry of Ludivico Ariosto first published in 1516. Dialogue was largely improvised. This art form is and always was, largely popular with the working class. Two schools of puppetry exist; that of Catania and the other Palermo. These images were made in Ortygia south of Catania over the connecting bridge to Syracusa. (Source info. found on Wikipedia:Sicilan puppetry)

  One night, during the summer, our neighbors invited us to go out for dinner, or cena, with them. As pranzo or lunch usually ends about 3pm, we were surprised when they asked us to be ready at 6:30. Ok, who are we to argue!  Well, the reason was that Roccafiorita  lies somewhere just this side of the end of the breathable oxygen layer of the earths' atmosphere. We barely made it there to see the sunset before feasting on a typically indescribable Sicilian array of meats, cheeses, antipaste and pasta. It really isn't fair.

 The Sicilian country side during the summer seems rather unforgiving as the verdant greenery of winter and spring give way to the parched straw colored landscapes which color the island summer.

Another view of MONGIBEDDU or Mount Etna looking our over the Plain of Catania

As the year ends, I was just thinking of  the snow that is missing from my Brooklyn window. So where was I going to turn for snow?  SICILIA!
Even though these were made in March, they satisfy my need and intensify my desire to return.

Buon anno nuovo tutti !

CARMELINA RICCIARDELLO is a rather unique individual. A native of Sicily who has extensively traveled after moving to Australia at the age of 7, she has found her way back to her roots and first love, Sicilia where she tirelessly works to promote all that is positive in her lovely island. She works countless hours a day  focusing on local experiences in her home town of SANT'AMBROGIO trying to make it an eco friendly destination for those wanting to taste the simpler life of Sicilian villagers. While meeting her (and staying at one of her typically Sicilian pensiones), I was amazed at how utterly beautiful a simple cooperative life can be. This is not meant to gloss over the many obstacles put in her path but she is an inspiration for those interested in organizing and enjoying a piece of old world history and culture without trampling the land or each other. I got to know her through another amazing Sicilian American woman from NYC, Karen La Rosa ( last post). Carmelina organized  a celebration in town for the NY Choral Society when they sang there in June of 2012.

You can feel the enthusiasm, energy and pride felt by the local people of SANT'AMBROGIO during the festa they prepared for the group through out the town one evening during the singing tour.

Below is an image of the towns populace celebrating the victory of Italy over England I believe it was, in the European Soccer finals. A tv screen was set up in the street, people sang, cheered, ate and celebrated in a way which should be characteristic of all of us.

 This is Karen La Rosa, a dynamo in terms of her love for and endless efforts to promote Sicilia in every way possible. Her wonderful work and ideas are eloquently expresssed by visiting LaRosaworks on the net. Karen is also a member of the NEW YORK CHORAL SOCIETY and organized a three city tour of Sicily where they sang in Cefalu`, Montalbano Elicona and Catania.
 Below is a part of the 120 member chorus singing in Cefalu`

 MONTALBANO ELICONA is a charming town situated in Messina province a short distance from the actual city of Messina. It is listed as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. It is an enjoyable place off the map where one can stroll the narrow alleys forgetting for a moment exactly where you are.

 The view west toward Cefalu` from Sant'Ambrogio which I hope to feature next time.

This is one of many galleries, as they are called,  on the way back from Montalbano toward Messina. They exist in many parts of the autostrada and are just fascinating to observe. Science and nature together make for so much of the beauty we often take for granted.

 Anyone, fortunate to go to Sicilia on a regular basis will undoubtedly make friends as we have.
Here, to the left, our frinds Simone and Valeria tie the knot in Savoca on the 11th of July. Auguri !!

During June, we went to Sant'Ambrogio ( more in the next post) to listen to a concert given by the visiting NEW YORK CHORAL SOCIETY.
The town of about 5-600 people, went out of their way to welcome the group of 120 singers and family with a night time festa featuring local foods and drink ( read unbelievable wines)

 Giulio ( below), is a local shepherd in Sant'Ambrogio with a college education who independently decided to  forego it to spend his time going back to what counts most to him, local production of food. He is an expert at the process of making ricotta cheese and we were enthralled to be able to speed the better part of a day "helping" him (eating the fruits of his labor)!

My friend Antonio, born in Catania, comes home to Sicilia every summer and he assured me that the BEST bread is in the town of RINA not far from Sant'Alessio. We went there one morning and met Lucia, the lively, welcoming owner of the bakery. Here she is modestly holding her contribution to the great Sicilian staple!

 PIAZZA  ARMERINA lies in the province of Enna easily reachable form the autostada in any direction. The Villa del Casale defies description being the home to a major archaeological find dating back to the 3rd and 4th centuries. The Roman mosaics here rival those found anywhere else in the Roman Empire and offer depictions of everyday life during those times. The most famous, or at least the ones most talked about are
in the Hall of the Female Gymnasts in Bikinis. Unfortunately, this room is still under reconstruction as is most of the Villa. Even so,  a trip to this visually alluring part of the island is one that will always be remembered and spoken about.