Pollina Carnival — The Nonnu Parade

The Pollina Carnival, the satirical heart of the Madonie

Perched on a cliff overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, inland from Cefalù and in the heart of the Madonie Park, the small town of Pollina (province of Palermo) guards a Carnival that is much more than just a parade of masks. Here, the festival is rooted in Sicilian peasant culture and stages, year after year, a collective ritual of irony, satire, and conviviality that attracts visitors from across the Madonie region.

The Nonnu Parade

The most distinctive and anticipated element is the Nonnu parade, a large puppet depicting an old man sitting on a donkey. The Nonnu never travels alone: accompanying him through the village alleys is a grotesque procession composed of a fake mayor, a fake priest, a notary, and a policeman, who traverse the town streets to the main square. It is a parade that blends popular masks, joy, and that uniquely Sicilian taste for good-natured mockery of authority.

The Reading of the Testament

The climax of the festival is the reading of the Nonnu's testament in the main square. This is a satirical text, recited publicly, which takes stock of the events of the past year: it launches barbs and criticisms not only at political and religious authorities but also at the town's ordinary citizens. It is a tradition of popular satire that transforms the square of Pollina into a small open-air theater, where the community laughs at itself and the events of its year.

Masks, dancing, and cavattuni cu sucu da sasizza

Beyond the Nonnu, the program features masked group parades, costume parties, shows, and recreational moments designed for children, with afternoons animated by games, music, and the classic 'most beautiful mask' contest. The festival concludes with dancing in the square and the traditional tasting of cavattuni cu sucu da sasizza, the local fresh pasta served with sausage sauce, offered to participants: an iconic dish that ties the Carnival to the authentic flavors of Madonie cuisine.

A community event

Organized by the Pollina New Age Association, the Carnival enlivens the village for several days, transforming it into a kaleidoscope of colors and imagination thanks to the enthusiasm and creativity of the inhabitants. For those visiting Sicily in winter, it is the perfect opportunity to discover an authentic Madonie town and a tradition that keeps the popular and satirical soul of the Sicilian Carnival alive.