The Sacred Return to the Essence – Franco Battiato Festival
Art and spirituality inspired by Franco Battiato, between Milo and Riposto
About The Sacred Return to the Essence
A festival in honor of Franco Battiato
The Sacred Return to the Essence – Franco Battiato Festival was created to preserve and promote the intellectual, artistic, and spiritual legacy of Franco Battiato, one of Italy's most beloved and visionary singer-songwriters, who passed away on May 18, 2021. Every year, around that date, the village of Milo – the Etnean town where the artist lived for many years – and the nearby town of Riposto transform into a vibrant hub of art and inner exploration in the heart of the province of Catania, Sicily.
A journey through art and spirituality
The festival is promoted by the Centro Studi di Gravità Permanente, with artistic direction by Fiorella Nozzetti, and features four days of theatrical and musical performances, film screenings, conferences, readings, site-specific works, and moments of collective meditation. The common thread is the spirituality that permeates Battiato's entire body of work: from Eastern mystical traditions to the teachings of G.I. Gurdjieff, and his deep bond with musical companions such as Giusto Pio, Giuni Russo, and Juri Camisasca.
The locations: between Mount Etna and the sea
The event takes place in iconic local settings: Piazza Belvedere and the spaces of Milo, overlooking the volcano, and the squares of Riposto, just a stone's throw from the Ionian Sea. This dialogue between earth and sky, between mountain and sea, reflects the imagery that always fueled Battiato's poetics, characterized by upward aspirations and deep Sicilian roots.
Programming and guests
The lineup alternates between major cultural and musical figures and scholars of spiritual research. Recurring events include: the talk-show tribute to the Maestro, narrative concerts, the screening of the film Meetings with Remarkable Men by Peter Brook, conferences on Gurdjieff, and the Giusto Pio Prize, dedicated to figures in art and spirituality. The evocative collective meditation at dawn on May 18, the anniversary of the artist's passing, is a highlight of the program.
A recognized project
The festival is recognized as a Special Project by the Ministry of Culture (FNSV) and is supported by the municipalities of Milo, Riposto, and Catania. Admission to all events is free, in keeping with the festival's commitment to education and community.
- Where: Milo and Riposto, province of Catania (Sicily)
- When: In May, around the 18th (Battiato's anniversary)
- Admission: Free for all events
- Organization: Centro Studi di Gravità Permanente
The Sacred Return to the Essence — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of The Sacred Return to the Essence was held from May 15 to 18 in Milo, with events also taking place in Riposto on May 17 and 18, marking five years since the passing of Franco Battiato. The festival, recognized as a Special Project by the Ministry of Culture and supported by the municipalities of Milo, Riposto, and Catania, explored the relationship between art and spirituality along the Maestro's path.
Highlights included: the talk-show Avrei voluto dirti (I would have liked to tell you) in tribute to Battiato; the conference by Tito Rinesi In the wake of G.I. Gurdjieff's teachings and the screening of Peter Brook's Meetings with Remarkable Men; the concert-show Verso Oriente with Giovanni Calcagno; the second edition of the Giusto Pio Prize in Riposto, chaired by Stefano Pio; and the national premiere of the show Sacred dream, sacred sound – Crossing Orion, featuring music by Battiato, Giusto Pio, Giuni Russo, and Juri Camisasca, directed by Stefano Pio with the participation of Filippo Destrieri. The collective meditation at dawn on May 18 was also held.
Programme The Sacred Return to the Essence 2026
2026 Program (selection)
- May 15 – Milo: Festival opening and in-depth discussions (including the story of Father Pellegrino Ernetti).
- May 16 – Milo: 'Avrei voluto dirti' talk-show in tribute to Franco Battiato; presentation of the book 'Franco Battiato. The long journey in cinema' by Fabio Bagnasco.
- May 17 – Milo (Service Center): 10:00 AM conference 'In the wake of G.I. Gurdjieff's teachings' (Tito Rinesi); 2:00 PM screening of 'Meetings with Remarkable Men' by Peter Brook; 4:30 PM concert-show 'Verso Oriente' with Giovanni Calcagno.
- May 17 – Riposto (Piazza San Pietro): 8:30 PM 'Giusto Pio' Prize (2nd edition); 9:30 PM national premiere of 'Sacred dream, sacred sound – Crossing Orion', directed by Stefano Pio with Filippo Destrieri.
- May 18: Collective meditation at dawn, on the anniversary of the Maestro's passing.
Highlights The Sacred Return to the Essence 2026
- National premiere of the show 'Sacred dream, sacred sound – Crossing Orion'.
- Second edition of the 'Giusto Pio' Prize.
- Conference and film dedicated to G.I. Gurdjieff.
- Collective meditation at dawn on May 18.
Prices The Sacred Return to the Essence 2026
Practical information — The Sacred Return to the Essence
Getting there
Milo is located on the eastern side of Mount Etna, in the province of Catania. By car, it can be reached via the A18 Messina-Catania motorway (Giarre/Riposto exit), heading up towards the Etnean village; Riposto is on the Ionian coast, just a few minutes away. The reference railway station is Giarre-Riposto, well-connected to the Messina-Catania-Siracusa line. The nearest airport is Catania-Fontanarossa.
Tickets
All festival events are free of charge. For some indoor events, booking is recommended as seating is limited.
Tips
The climate on Mount Etna can be cool in the evening: dressing in layers is recommended. For the dawn meditation sessions, it is advisable to arrive early.
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Where does it take place — The Sacred Return to the Essence
Piazza Belvedere
Piazza Belvedere, 95010 Milo