Spring Festival in the Woods

A festival to rediscover the city's woods

The Spring Festival in the Woods is a cultural and environmental event held in Giarre, a populous town in the province of Catania, located in the heart of eastern Sicily on the slopes of Mount Etna. The event takes place at the WWF Nature Area of Parco Chico Mendez, on Via Callipoli, a spontaneous woodland growing near the Macchia stream that remained a "hidden treasure" for years, unknown to most Giarre residents.

Nature, school, and community

The festival was born with a precise goal: to raise awareness and enhance this urban green lung, reclaimed over the years thanks to the constant commitment of WWF volunteers, the Municipality of Giarre, and the Regional Department of Rural Development. Along the nature trail, visitors can find sensory and olfactory paths, descriptive signs, and a surprising variety of native plants, identifiable thanks to information tags.

Two days of education and well-being

The event is divided into two complementary days:

• First day dedicated to the younger generations, with the participation of students from the three comprehensive schools of Giarre, guided through the discovery of the nature area.
• Second day open to the entire public, featuring a biodanza session and evocative readings in the woods performed by actor Bruno Torrisi.

Students from local high schools collaborate in the organization, including the "G. Falcone" Hotel Management School, the "Leonardo" Scientific High School, and the "Mazzei" Agricultural Institute, together with MAAS - Agro-Food Markets of Sicily, which provides a fresh fruit snack.

A project by WWF North-Eastern Sicily

The initiative was proposed by the WWF North-Eastern Sicily branch and welcomed by the Municipal Administration and the 2nd Council Commission for "Productive Activities." Admission is free: the Spring Festival in the Woods is an opportunity for families, schools, and curious visitors to reclaim a precious natural space and experience spring in the open air, just a stone's throw from the center of Giarre.