Our Lady of the Snows Festival

The 2025 edition of the Our Lady of the Snows Festival in Giarratana, in the province of Ragusa, reached its peak on Tuesday, August 5th. The day opened at 7:00 AM with twenty-one blank shots and the festive ringing of bells, followed by the first Eucharistic celebration presided over by the parish administrator, Father Salvatore Puglisi.

At 9:00 AM, the brass bands — the 'Bellini' of Giarratana and the 'Kasmeneo' of Comiso — paraded through the streets of the town, with symphonic marches in the square at 10:30 AM. At 11:00 AM, the solemn Eucharistic celebration was held with the Regina Caeli parish choir, directed by Maestro Francesco Giaquinta.

At noon, the most anticipated moment: the 'sciuta' of the 16th-century statue onto the square of the Basilica of Sant'Antonio Abate, announced by the Giarratana drums and accompanied by the firing of nzaiareddi and fireworks. In the evening, the vesper procession and, at 11:00 PM, the return to the Basilica with the singing of the Magnificat and fireworks on the church facade.

August 5, 2025

• 07:00 — Twenty-one blank shots and festive bell ringing.
• 07:30 — First Eucharistic celebration presided over by Father Salvatore Puglisi.
• 09:00 — Parade of the 'Bellini' of Giarratana and 'Kasmeneo' of Comiso brass bands through the city center.
• 10:30 — Symphonic marches in the square performed by the two bands.
• 11:00 — Solemn Eucharistic celebration with the Regina Caeli parish choir.
• 12:00 — The 'sciuta' of the 16th-century statue onto the square of the Basilica of Sant'Antonio Abate, amidst drums, nzaiareddi, and fireworks.
• 12:30 — Visit to the Church of San Bartolomeo Apostolo with prayer and floral tribute.
• 13:00 — Return to the Mother Church with floral tribute.
• 16:30-18:00 — Parades of the Giarratana band and drums along Corso XX Settembre and Corso Umberto I.
• 23:00 — Return of the statue to the Basilica with the singing of the Magnificat and fireworks on the facade.