Infiorata Festivals – Noto, Spello, Genzano

The Infiorata di Noto is not the only festival of its kind in Sicily (there are two others that take place in Spello and Genzano). However it is arguably the most famous, and news of this festival travels far beyond the island itself to welcome visitors from many different countries over the weekend that it takes place. The meaning of infiorata refers to something that is decorated with flowers. In this case Noto is the fortunate area to be decorated with flowers of all kinds. Another phrase you may hear relating to this event is also most appropriate – “carpets of flowers”.

It’s easy to work out when the next Infiorata di Noto will take place – it always occurs on the third weekend in May. It is now over a quarter of a century old and still draws in a huge audience. In 2015 this means it will begin on Friday 15th May and run through until Sunday 17th May, so you have a few days in which to see the phenomenon. And a phenomenon it certainly is, since you can see the artists involved creating the spectacle on Friday, before seeing it in its complete form over the two days of the weekend itself.

Each artist is given a section of pavement along Via Nicolaci, a charming street in Noto, and they must create their own design based on a given theme. Each artist works to the same theme to ensure a cohesive whole once the flower carpet is completely finished. At the weekend you will be one of thousands who walk past the displays, taking in the inspiration, design, artwork and beautiful colours that are resplendent in the Sicilian sunshine.

This Sicilian Flower Festival is not just about walking past the displays, however. You can sense a real festival atmosphere here, since many other attractions and sideshows are set up to provide more entertainment and appeal for visitors. Finally, if you are still in Noto on the Monday morning after the festival, do watch as the local children run riot on the flower displays. It may look destructive and it is, but it happens every year and shows the fleeting nature of this festival. In the destruction of the artwork so the pavements return to normal until next May, when a fresh slew of designs will grace the streets of Noto once more.