XIPHIAS – Historical Swordfish Hunt

A millennial tradition brought to life in Ganzirri

XIPHIAS – Historical Swordfish Hunt is a scenic re-enactment of the swordfish hunt, one of the oldest and most evocative fishing practices in the Strait of Messina. The event takes place in Ganzirri, a seaside village in the Municipality of Messina, on the shores of the Lago Grande, where the local community faithfully reconstructs the gestures, tools, and roles that have defined this legendary fishing method for centuries.

The history of the swordfish hunt

Swordfish hunting in the Strait has roots in remote times: as early as the 17th century, a learned Jesuit described it as "unique in all of Europe." The traditional technique involved the use of the feluca, a boat with a tall mast for the lookout, and the luntro, the fast boat of the fishermen who, guided by calls, would pursue and harpoon the fish. In Ganzirri, this memory was kept alive by historical re-enactments as early as the 1950s and 1980s, leading to the creation of the XIPHIAS event in 2023.

The event program

The festival is spread over two days packed with cultural and spectacular events:

• Inaugural conference on the history, mythology, science, and sustainability of swordfish fishing, held in the square of the Church of San Nicola;
• Photo exhibition dedicated to the memory of traditional fishing;
• Folkloric performances with the giants Mata and Grifone, symbols of the Messina tradition;
• Rowing race (Palio) featuring a challenge between the lake's crews;
• Scenic re-enactment of the hunt, including the sighting, pursuit, and capture of the swordfish, concluding with the ritual of the "cardata d'a cruci".

A heritage of Sicilian identity

Patronized by the Municipality of Messina and the Metropolitan City of Messina, with the coordination of TodoModoTV and the participation of the Parish of San Nicola and the associations of the villages of Ganzirri and Torre Faro, XIPHIAS is much more than a show: it is an act of gratitude towards the fishermen who made the history of the Strait and an opportunity to rediscover the maritime soul of the province of Messina and all of Sicily.