Cialoma a la Tunnara

A festival dedicated to the Sicilian dialect and identity

Cialoma a la Tunnara is a cultural event organized by the Municipality of Cinisi, in the Metropolitan City of Palermo, dedicated to the Sicilian dialect and the island's deep-rooted popular traditions. The name refers to the cialoma, the ancient work song that tuna fishermen (tonnaroti) would chant during the mattanza: a direct homage to the venue hosting the event, the Tonnara dell'Ursa, a striking structure overlooking the sea along the Cinisi coastline.

The Tonnara dell'Ursa, a unique setting

The Tonnara dell'Ursa is one of the most fascinating spots on the Cinisi coast: a historic complex once linked to tuna fishing that now thrives as an open-air cultural space. The choice of this location is no coincidence, as it connects every evening of the festival to the memory of the sea, the labor, and the songs that have defined the identity of Sicily's coastal communities.

Poetry, puppets, cinema, and music

The heart of the festival is the Sicilian Dialect Poetry Recital, which brings together local voices and authors to give new dignity to the Sicilian language. Alongside poetry, the program features the opera dei pupi (traditional puppet theatre) with performances of the Paladins of France by Sicilian marionette associations, as well as film screenings and evening concerts. A particularly poignant highlight is the tribute to Rosa Balistreri, the iconic folk singer of popular Sicily, whose legacy is woven throughout the program.

• Sicilian dialect poetry recitals
• Opera dei pupi and traditional marionette theatre
• Film screenings and literary meetings
• Concerts and live folk-inspired music
• Tribute to Rosa Balistreri

Exhibitions, crafts, and gastronomy

Beyond the evening performances, the Tonnara dell'Ursa hosts an exhibition path featuring photography and collective art shows, a literary area, a craft market, and tastings of local products. The evenings typically come alive at dusk, transforming the old tuna fishery into a meeting place for culture, conviviality, and local flavors.

A staple of the Cinisi summer

Cialoma a la Tunnara is part of the rich summer calendar of the Municipality of Cinisi, which every August offers theatre, cinema, concerts, and events spread between the town center and the coast. For residents and visitors alike, it represents an opportunity to rediscover the dialect, traditions, and identity of popular Sicily in one of the most evocative locations in the province of Palermo.