Easter in Piana degli Albanesi

Five out of the eight Albanian communities living in Sicily are present in the town, celebrating Easter with their jealously preserved customs and practices. One week before Easter, rehearsals take place for the Lazeri, sacred songs to commemorate the resurrection of Lazzaro. On Palm Sunday, the archbishop enters the town on horseback, reenacting the arrival of Christ in Jerusalem.

Four days later, on Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday in the UK), the priest impersonating St Peter is washed by the archbishop, the most sacred event of the festivities. The sacred musical pieces performed on Good Friday are not to be missed, particularly those narrating the passion and death of Christ.

The Saturday preceding Easter Sunday features full immersion baptisms, a typical Greek-Orthodox rite, performed by priests wearing white robes symbolising new life. The festivities end on Easter Sunday in the cathedral of San Demetrio, where all believers are reunited for the Mensa, a feast organised by all the members of the community.

This is a chance to get to know the Albanian community and to see how its traditions harmoniously survive alongside traditional Sicilian beliefs.