Licodisiadi

A small-town Olympics in the heart of Mount Etna

The Licodisiadi is the most iconic sports and cultural event in Santa Maria di Licodia, a town in the Metropolitan City of Catania nestled on the southwestern slopes of Mount Etna, in Sicily. For a few weeks, the town transforms into a true arena: four neighborhood teams compete in various disciplines, creating a local Olympics that brings together children, teenagers, families, and the elderly, all united by the same enthusiasm.

Origins in the Sixties

The initiative began in the mid-sixties as part of the youth activities at the Church of the Santissimo Crocifisso, thanks to the vision of Nino Sambataro, supported by collaborators such as Luigi Distefano, Franco Ragusa, Pippo Costa, and Giuseppe Furnari. Between 1965 and 1976, six editions were held: participants competed for about twenty consecutive days between July and August in soccer, basketball, volleyball, tamburello, table tennis, track and field, roller skating, checkers, chess, and the inevitable cultural challenges. The event was interrupted following the premature death of its founder at just 33 years old, remaining only a memory in the town's collective consciousness for over forty years.

The Rebirth

In 2019, after a 43-year absence, a group of citizens decided to revive the Licodisiadi, returning them to the community. Today, the event is organized by the Associazione Licodisiadi, chaired by Marta Barbagallo, with the support of the Municipality of Santa Maria di Licodia and numerous volunteers. The event maintains its dual soul—sports and culture—and its most beloved rituals: the athletes' parade, the lighting of the Olympic flame, and the solemn award ceremony.

The Four Teams and Disciplines

At the heart of the competition are the four teams representing the natural elements—Water, Fire, Air, and Earth—vying for victory in a packed calendar of events. Disciplines include bicycle gymkhana, tire racing, target shooting, 5-a-side soccer, basketball, volleyball, track and field (vortex throw, 100m and 400m sprints, 4x100 relay, mini-marathon), the evocative carrioli race—a competition with handcrafted carts that recalls popular tradition—and the essential cultural challenges.

An event that unites the community

More than just a competition, the Licodisiadi is a moment of gathering that bridges generations and strengthens the sense of belonging to the area. Recent editions have seen close collaboration with the "Don Bosco" Comprehensive Institute, which hosts most of the competitions, confirming the educational and community-focused nature of the event. In a small town in the province of Catania, at the foot of Mount Etna, the Licodisiadi represents one of the most beloved and anticipated traditions of the year.