Festino di Santa Rosalia 2024

In the last 400 years, the Festino of Santa Rosalia has represented a vibrant celebration of the city’s spirit, embodying its history, culture, and authentic traditions.

The Feast of Santa Rosalia, held July 14 in Palermo, marks the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the miraculous remains of Santa Rosalia, the city’s patron saint. The event, which attracted more than 350,000 people this year, is more than a religious procession; it is the ultimate celebration of Palermo’s beauty, tradition, and spirit, embracing Sicilians from around the world. With a deep respect for such a long tradition, the City of Palermo decided to engage a world leader in ‘live entertainment, such as Balich Wonder Studio, to make this enchanting celebration even more spectacular. The idea is to set Palermo ablaze with an unforgettable parade that can spread the message of rebirth and hope beyond Italian borders. With a symbolic journey from the darkness of stomping to the light of salvation, the Saint is the hope that resides in people’s collective spirit; she is a beacon of resilience and optimism that is never extinguished.

With deep respect for such an ancient tradition, we brought our creativity and international experience to make an already extraordinary event even more spectacular and exciting. For the first time in the history of the event, the statue of the Saint, dragged by the Triumphal Chariot, was transformed into a 13 X 9 meter icon. The icon made four transformations, from darkness to light, following the stages of the Procession and accompanied by specific themed artistic performances. The historical sites of the Procession – from the Palazzo dei Normanni, to the Cattedrale, to the Quattro Canti – became the backdrops for a show of immersive projections that set the stage for actors, singers, dancers, and local folk groups. The innovative formula of the parade includes the addition of 2 additional floats, which elevate the artistic performances, allow greater visibility of the show and reproduce characters and scenes throughout the parade, ending with a spectacular final fireworks display.