Scicli – u Gioia
Extraordinary is the Easter celebration in Scicli where the Sunday ceremony takes the name of a Feast of Joy or Omu Vivu. The Feast begins the Holy Saturday night at the Church of Santa Maria la Nova when the resurrection of Christ is celebrated among the screams of joy of the people present. During the solemn ceremony, at midnight, rings a bell and, driven by a freight elevator, suddenly rises the simulacrum of the risen Christ from behind the altar; a naked body, just wrapped around her hips, with 24 long golden rays unfolding behind him, carrying a red ensign in his hand. It’s the apotheosis. The arms of the faithful rise up top, climb on the benches, jump on them, embrace each other.
After several attempts, the Risen One enters the Church. The night brings back the silence. At 11pm, other new, grueling evolutions begin in the streets of the city.