Sicilian Identity Festival
Two days in the Erei Mountains celebrating the language, roots, and flavors of Sicily
About Sicilian Identity Festival
A festival to rediscover the roots of Sicily
The Sicilian Identity Festival is a traveling event dedicated to the rediscovery of the Sicilian language, history, and the island's popular and rural traditions. Promoted by the Siciliani Liberi movement, the festival chooses a different municipality each year as its stage: in 2026, it is the turn of Leonforte, a town in the Erei Mountains in the province of Enna, which hosts the event for the first time.
Two days of culture, language, and tradition
The program alternates between moments of reflection and celebration. The days kick off with conferences hosted at Villa Bonsignore, featuring scholars and speakers from various parts of Sicily: topics include the legacy of the Branciforti princes, the city's founders, the Leonforte dialect from a technical-philological perspective, and the oral tradition linked to the territory. The afternoon moves to the Leonforte Ecomuseum and concludes with a visit to the monumental Gran Fonte, the town's Baroque symbol.
The flavors of the Erei
The second day is primarily dedicated to rural and gastronomic traditions. From the early morning, the direct farmers' market brings local products to Villa Bonsignore: the Fava Larga (broad bean), the Lenticchia Nera (black lentil), and the famous IGP Peach of Leonforte. There is also space for hands-on experience with a workshop dedicated to Cuddura, the traditional San Giuseppe bread, prepared together with the 'Signore del Pane' (Ladies of Bread).
Folk performances and music
The grand finale is entrusted to folklore: the songs of the Razziuneddi di San Giuseppi, a concert by the group Sciara, and a performance by the Gran Fonte Folk Group of Leonforte close the event with music, dance, and popular tradition. An event that, while rooted in the small Enna town, tells a story of an identity that belongs to all of Sicily.
Sicilian Identity Festival — edition 2026
The 4th Sicilian Identity Festival brought two days packed with culture and tradition to Leonforte (EN), hosted between Villa Bonsignore and the Ecomuseum. Saturday was dedicated to conferences: the legacy of the Branciforti princes recounted by Fabio D'Angelo, the technical-philological analysis of the Leonforte dialect with experts from 'Sicilia Antica' and the Academy of the Sicilian Language, and an in-depth look at oral tradition starting from the book "U Lamentu" by Alfredo Crimì, before the visit to the monumental Gran Fonte. Sunday, dedicated to rural traditions, opened with the market of producers of Fava Larga, Lenticchia Nera, and IGP Peach, the Cuddura workshop, and, from 6:30 PM, folk performances with the Razziuneddi di San Giuseppi, the Sciara concert, and the Gran Fonte Folk Group.
Programme Sicilian Identity Festival 2026
Saturday, May 16 — Villa Bonsignore and Ecomuseum
A day dedicated to culture and language, with institutional greetings from Mayor Piero Li Volsi and Councilor for Culture Sabrina La Ferrara.
- Morning — Conferences at Villa Bonsignore: the legacy of the Branciforti princes illustrated by Fabio D'Angelo; technical-philological roundtable on the Leonforte dialect with Sicilia Antica and the Academy of the Sicilian Language.
- In-depth look at the historical figure of Agata Lanza and oral tradition, with an analysis of the book "U Lamentu" by Alfredo Crimì.
- Afternoon — Transfer to the Leonforte Ecomuseum.
- Evening — Guided tour of the monumental Gran Fonte.
Sunday, May 17 — Traditions and flavors of the Erei
- 08:00 AM — Direct farmers' market at Villa Bonsignore: Fava Larga, Lenticchia Nera, and IGP Peach of Leonforte.
- Morning — Outreach and visits to local crops.
- Afternoon — Workshop on Cuddura, the traditional San Giuseppe bread, with the 'Signore del Pane'.
- 06:30 PM — Folk performances presented by Irene Varveri: the Razziuneddi di San Giuseppi, the "Chista è la me terra" concert by the group Sciara, and the performance of the Gran Fonte Folk Group of Leonforte.
Highlights Sicilian Identity Festival 2026
Prices Sicilian Identity Festival 2026
Practical information — Sicilian Identity Festival
Location
The festival takes place in Leonforte (EN), between Villa Bonsignore, the Ecomuseum, and the Gran Fonte monument in the Erei Mountains.
Getting there
By car, Leonforte can be reached via the A19 Palermo-Catania motorway (Mulinello exit) and the SS117 road. By train, the Leonforte-Pirato station is served by the Palermo-Catania line.
Information
For details on the program, you can contact the organizers at +39 339 574 8018. Admission to the conferences and the market is free.
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Where does it take place — Sicilian Identity Festival
Villa Bonsignore ed Ecomuseo di Leonforte
Villa Bonsignore, 94013 Leonforte