La Scinnenza

La Scinnenza: two centuries of faith and popular theater in Ravanusa

In the town of Ravanusa, in the province of Agrigento, Good Friday is no ordinary day. It is the day the entire town turns into an immense open-air theater for La Scinnenza, the sacred representation of the Passion, death, and resurrection of Christ. The local dialect term scinnenza refers to the staging of the descent and sacrifice of Jesus, a tradition that has been renewed in Ravanusa for nearly two centuries.

A bicentennial tradition

The event is deeply rooted in the identity of the Ravanusa community. Passed down from generation to generation, it is held biennially as a moment of profound popular devotion that unites the entire town around a rite that transcends mere theatrical performance: as the organizers themselves note, La Scinnenza becomes an authentic act of faith, expressing the citizenry's bond with their Christian roots.

The procession through the town streets

The performance begins in the afternoon at the Mother Church, where the trial of Jesus before the High Priests led by Caiaphas and in the presence of Pontius Pilate takes place. From there, the procession moves toward the Calvary, set up in front of the Church of the Holy Cross: Christ travels through the city streets carrying the cross, preceded by Roman soldiers on horseback.

Scenes of the sacred drama

The narrative retraces the crucial moments of the Passion with great scenic attention to detail:

• the dialogue between Pilate and the high priests and the flagellation;
• the ascent to Calvary with the three falls, the meeting with Veronica, and the help of Simon of Cyrene;
• the casting of lots for the garments by the Roman soldiers;
• the repentance and death of Judas;
• the crucifixion of Jesus and the two thieves, leading to the deposition from the cross.

The protagonists

About sixty people, including actors and collaborators, participate in the performance, all dressed in traditional period costumes, under the direction of director Stefano Canicattì. The initiative is promoted by the Santa Croce Parish with the patronage of the Municipality of Ravanusa, in a choral effort that brings together devotees, performers, and volunteers.

A highlight of the Sicilian Holy Week

La Scinnenza is part of the rich tapestry of Holy Week rites in Sicily, where Easter is experienced as one of the most heartfelt moments of the year. In Ravanusa, the event draws residents and visitors who witness the passage of the sacred procession through the streets of the historic center with reverence and respect, in an atmosphere of intense emotional and spiritual depth.