Rite of Light - Fiumara d'Arte

The Rite of Light, where art becomes ceremony

Among the hills of the Nebrodi, in the territory of the municipalities of Reitano and Motta d'Affermo in the province of Messina, the Rite of Light is one of the most evocative events within the Fiumara d'Arte contemporary art park, conceived by patron Antonio Presti. Every year, on the occasion of the summer solstice, the monumental 38th Parallel Pyramid — a corten steel sculpture created in 2010 by artist Mauro Staccioli — opens exceptionally to the public to host a collective ceremony of art, music, and spirituality.

An immersive experience

The experience always begins in darkness: the visitor crosses the only access point to the Pyramid, a long, dim corridor, barely lit by filtering light. It is a symbolic passage into oneself, where all certainties dissolve and only the rhythm of one's own footsteps remains. When the solstice light slices through the iron walls and reveals the blade of vision, the rite is fulfilled: the abandonment of the superfluous, the silence necessary to perceive the essential once again. Through songs, dances, and music, the Rite of Light transforms into a choral celebration of beauty, where art and nature merge into a single experience of elevation.

Two days between Reitano and Motta d'Affermo

The event spans two days. The first takes place in Villa Margi, a seaside hamlet of Reitano, with guided tours of the new works at the Atelier sul Mare - Asteroide 20049 Antonio Presti, accompanied by the master Antonio Presti himself. The second day is dedicated to the main ceremony at the 38th Parallel Pyramid in Motta d'Affermo, from the afternoon until sunset.

Cu resta rinesci

The Rite of Light carries forward the Foundation's mission: to restore the spiritual and civic function of contemporary art, transforming the Pyramid into a space of consciousness, contemplation, and collective rebirth. A message linked to the invitation "Cu resta rinesci" (those who stay, succeed), addressed to the youth of Sicily's inland areas so that they may find, in culture and art, a reason to remain and revitalize their territories.

How to participate

Admission to the Rite of Light is free and open to all. Participants are asked to wear white and maintain silence during the ceremony. A free shuttle service is available to reach the Pyramid, as an alternative to the approximately 3 km trail that winds through the Nebrodi landscape.