Taormina, the "pearl of the Ionian“, is configured once again as art City with numerous theater and dance performances, concerts, events and festivals that make it the absolute star of thesummer 2023.
Taormina, the pearl of the Ionian
The writer Guy de Maupassant in "The Wandering Life" (1885) wrote: “If someone were to spend just one day in Sicily and asked me what to see, I would answer without hesitation: Taormina!”. Hers is one of the many voices of artists who have been conquered by what is called the "pearl of the Ionian".
Taormina, founded in 358 BC by Greek refugees from the nearby city of Naxos, conquered by Dionysius I of Syracuse has been bewitching everyone for centuries. After the Greeks, the Romans also grasped the potential of the city. Under the influence of Byzantium Taormina became the capital of eastern Sicily acquiring an important role in the Eastern Roman Empire, until the arrival of the Arabs who stopped in the city from 902 to 1079; the Normans and the Spaniards followed as new rulers.
The artistic and cultural heritage of Taormina is a journey through the history of its influences and dominations which have left traces to which the city owes the charm and popularity it enjoys all over the world. The city was one of the most important stops in the Grand Tour, the educational trip so popular in the seventeenth century throughout Europe, that the wealthiest used to undertake to see the remains of the ancient civilizations of the past in person.
The events in Taormina
With its monumental and landscape beauties, Taormina, in the province of Messina, represents one of the most famous destinations in all of Sicily.
From June 23th to August 31th the city will live events related to cinema, music, dance and also , with international guests.
Among the most important appointments the Gala Pavarotti Forever product with the Pavarotti Foundation which sees the participation of some of the most famous tenors of the moment: Marcelo Alvarez, Vittorio Grigolo, Placido Domingo and the soprano Aida Garifullina; the Sicilian musician and singer also performed Mario Biondi. the great opera will continue on August 16 with Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci, the duo Mascagni e Leoncavallo with the direction of Marco Guidarini.
As far as cinema is concerned, the Palazzo dei Congressi will host world premieres including “The undecided groom"With Giammarco Tognazzi and Francesco Pannofino. Among the featured artists are the names of John Landis and of the registrarto Abel Ferrara. Landis will hold a masterclass at Casa Cuseni. At an international level, it will be presented right in Taormina «Indiana Jones and the Quadrant of Destiny» last episode of the famous saga directed by James Mangold which will see the presence of Harrison Ford al Ancient Theatre. The choice of Taormina fell due to the fact that Sicily was the film's set.
Other events with international guests
Bella Thorne will present her first short film Paint her red dedicated to the world of influencers.
Many Italian premieres, including Jeanne duBarry with Johnny Depp; Billie's magic world with Alec Baldwin. All 'Hotel Timaeus on July 1 there will be the masterclass of Abel Ferrara and Willem Dafoe. During the delivery of Silver ribbons the film by the Palermo director Roberto Andò will be awarded The Strangeness Italian success at the box office last year.
Beatrice Venezi will direct Il Trittico di Giacomo Puccini Saturday 8 July with Marcelo Alvarez; on July 21 will be staged Turandot directed by Gianluca Martinenghi.
Many musical events such as The four Seasons to the Municipal Villa.
For the theater there will be the show "Francesco, the jester who invented the crib” with Luca Lazzareschi and “I will watch over you. I will protect you" tribute of George Pasotti a Gabriele D'Annunzio.
The etoille Eleonora Abbagnato will perform in Juliet e Jacopo Tissi in Past/Forward.
There are also many concerts: David Garrett, Jimy Sax, Robert Plant, Stewart Copeland among the international guests but also the Italian artists at the top of the music charts including Andrea Bocelli, Eros Ramazzotti, Gianni Morandi, Madame, Nek, Max Gazzè.
The “Taormina – Naxos Archeofilm”
There will also be the awaited first edition of the archeology, art and environment festival scheduled at the Ancient Theater of Taormina, from 14 to 16 July, and at the Archaeological Park - Teatro della Nike in Giardini Naxos from 15 to 17 July. The event will also see the establishment of the “Sebastiano Tusa Award”, assigned to the personality who has distinguished himself in the communication of cultural heritage. the public will have the opportunity to attend interviews with great personalities of cultural dissemination including Donatella Bianchi, Emilio Casalini and Vittorio Sgarbi.
Taobuk
The thirteenth edition of taobuk, Taormina International Book Fest. The theme that runs through the 2023 edition is “The Freedoms“. Many Italian writers protagonists with their works.
Here is the rich program that will attract many spectators who will appreciate not only the events but also the beauty of this unique city in the world!
Photo source: Pixabay
