It was an early start to the day's activities at 07:30 when we boarded the chartered coach to Agrigento. The weather was bright with clouds that at times seemed water laden, but thankfully held firm over Agrigento where the annual Almond Blossom Festival with bands, folk dancers and a parade of various nationalities in traditional dress took place. The festival is held annually in the first week of February when the first of the Almond blossoms appear. It was to be a day of colour and music in the city itself and ending with a separate visit to the Valley of Temples nearby.
The festival dates back to 1934 and grew rapidly from a local gathering to international participation. The entry of Italy into the Second World War in 1941 interrupted the annual festival and resumption only occurred in 1948. It is a major highlight on the social calender of annual events in Sicily and attendance is highly recommended.
Almond blossom
Almond grove with Agrigento in the background
Balloon seller ahead of the parade
The Bersaglieri (Marksmen) is a Corps within the Italian Army dating back to 1836. They are known for their fast pace (a jog) on parade and their feathered hats when wearing ceremonial uniform. They play their trumpets "fanfara" on the jog and seemingly without effort, testimony to their fitness. This was a pleasure to watch!
As above
Participants from Castello near Venice
From Syracuse in southern Sicily
As above
From Peru, South America
From Columbia, South America. The wind was a bit cold on the bosoms of those ladies, apart from the dress tops that kept slipping down as they danced ....
A bevy of bottoms
They watched from motorcycles ....
.... and brought horse drawn buggies.
A day of fun and colour. Well organised and good crowd management. For those wanting coffee and snacks or a proper pasta and pizza lunch, no problem, there were outlets suiting all pockets.
It lacked none of the Italian character and 'theatre' that they can so readily conjure up, it seems to come naturally with few inhibitions about what they say and the body language that goes with it.
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