Graniti Zampognari Gathering

A gathering dedicated to the Sicilian ciaramedda

The Graniti Zampognari Gathering is the festival that celebrates the ciaramedda—the local dialect name for the Sicilian bagpipe—every December in the heart of the Alcantara Valley, in the province of Messina. For one day, the village transforms into an open-air stage: groups of zampognari take turns along the streets of the historic center, while the sound of the instrument echoes among the houses, accompanied by traditional songs, pastoral melodies, and classic Sicilian repertoires.

The ciaramedda, symbol of a musical identity

The bagpipe has deep roots in the pastoral world: it was the instrument of shepherds, later adopted by farmers coming down to the village, and since the second half of the 20th century, its tradition has spread throughout Sicily. Linked primarily to the Christmas Novenas, which run from November 29th to January 6th, the ciaramedda is today a profound symbol of the island's musical identity. The Graniti gathering was created specifically to preserve and pass on this heritage, providing a space for ciaramiddari (players) and the craftsmen who still keep the art of hand-making the instrument alive.

Graniti, the painted village

The Municipality of Graniti, with just over 1,500 inhabitants nestled at an altitude of 350 meters between Taormina and the Alcantara Gorges, is known as the painted village: thanks to the Art Project Graniti, the town has been enriched with over forty murals that make it an open-air museum. Walking among bagpipes and mural artworks, with the ancient cellars and wine presses of the historic center as a backdrop, gives the gathering a unique atmosphere that blends rural tradition with contemporary creativity.

Flavors and atmosphere of the Sicilian Christmas

Beyond the music, the gathering is an opportunity to discover the flavors of the region: during the event, visitors can taste typical local products, from cheeses to wine, in a festive atmosphere that anticipates Christmas. The event is part of the wider calendar of Christmas initiatives in the municipalities of the Alcantara River Park, featuring songs, storytelling, and popular traditions from the province of Messina and all of Sicily.