Rock and pop concerts in ancient Sicilian theaters: Italia Nostra Sicilia says no

No to pop and rock music concerts in Sicilian Greek theaters. This is the position of Italia Nostra Sicilia, which points its finger at the use of Sicily’s Greek theaters to host major pop music events. In fact, the island’s ancient theaters have long been used for the summer concert season. For example, this year at the Greek Theater in Syracuse, Claudio Baglioni (the two dates have already sold out), Ludovico Einaudi, Gianna Nannini, Fiorella Mannoia and Elisa, who will close the season on Sept. 3, will take turns starting July 15. Even more intense is the season at the Teatro Antico in Taormina: Opening will be Il Volo with two dates, June 11 and 12, followed by Jethro Tull and Simple Minds, and then by Achille Lauro, Mahmood, The Smile, Gazzelle, Paolo Nutini, Roberto Bolle, Steve Hackett, Brunori Sas, Jimmy Sax, Ben Harper, Tommaso Paradiso, Venditti and De Gregori, Louis Tomlinson, Carmen Consoli, Elisa, Pintus, Drusilla Foer, Francesco Gabbani, Marco Masini and Umberto Tozzi, who will perform last on September 25.

Italia Nostra Sicilia recalls the recent case of the Segesta Archaeological Park, which hosted a contemporary art exhibition around which a heated controversy was raised, starring art historian Vittorio Sgarbi, who lashed out against the works brought to the park: the installations were in fact deemed too invasive and Sicilian President Nello Musumeci had ordered their removal. “I agree with Sgarbi’s remarks,” Musumeci had said. The secular sacredness of our archaeological parks does not allow contamination by other cultural initiatives, no matter how well-intentioned. I have asked Councillor Samonà to issue an act of direction so that the parks’ directors will adhere to homogeneous evaluations. In the meantime, the art exhibit currently housed in Segesta should be moved to another location." And so indeed it has been.

“On the other hand, the Region of Sicily, following the clearance of the Evaluation Commission,” observes Italia Nostra Sicilia President Leandro Janni, “grants the possibility (ignoring, instead, the opinions of the Superintendents and Directors of the parks, but also of the tour guides) that pop or rock music concerts take place in Sicilian Greek theaters. As, for example, in the superb Greek Theater of Syracuse, inside the Neapolis Archaeological Park. And this for a good part of the year, preventing visitors from being able to admire the theater in its integrity, because the steps of the cavea and the stage layout are totally boxed in with wooden structures.”

The association therefore wonders how the recent provisions of President Musumeci should be interpreted following the “Segesta case:” “Once again,” Leandro Janni concludes, "we are faced with the contradictions of Sicilian political choices and the timidity of the technicians in charge of the protection-enhancement of the island’s cultural and environmental heritage.

Image: preparations for a concert at the Greek Theater in Syracuse. Photo by Leandro Janni

Rock and pop concerts in ancient Sicilian theaters: Italia Nostra Sicilia says no

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