A Journey Through Time on the Villarosa Train Museum: Between Geology, Memory, and Theatre

June 7, 2025 – Villarosa Train Museum

On Saturday, June 7, 2025, the Villarosa Train Museum hosted a Geo-Event rich in symbolic and emotional significance, organized by Si.M.Geo. – Ecomuseum System of the Rocca di Cerere UNESCO Global Geopark and the GAL Rocca di Cerere Geopark area.

The day was dedicated to the memory of migration, territorial identity, and the promotion of both tangible and intangible heritage, with the active involvement of young people, artists, and local institutions. 

A Day of Learning and Expression
The event opened with an introduction to Villarosa’s geological foundations and historical background by Salvatore Chilardi, coordinator of the educational activities for the Si.M.Geo. project.
This was followed by a theatre workshop for children aged 8 to 13, led by Dario Scarpati (writer, actor, and director). The workshop used theatrical language to explore complex themes such as migration, mining, memory, and tradition—through drama games, performance exercises, and narrative exploration inside the train museum’s historic wagons.

Performance and Collective Reflection
In the afternoon, the young participants returned for a general rehearsal, culminating in a public performance staged in front of the train, following the institutional greetings from the Municipality of Villarosa and the Rocca di Cerere UNESCO Global Geopark.

Afterward, Giuseppe M. Amato, scientific coordinator of the Rocca di Cerere Geopark, offered a new scientific contribution on Villarosa’s geology, fostering further connections between land, history, and environment.

“Voices in Transit”: Literature and Migration Stories
The most evocative moment of the day was the performance of “Voices in Transit” by the cultural association L’Arpa di Enna. Five actors and a musician led the audience through an immersive theatrical journey inspired by the writings of Sciascia, Buttitta, Camilleri, and other Sicilian authors. The moving reading focused on migration and collective memory, leaving a strong emotional impact.

The initiative concluded with a convivial aperitif featuring products from the Kore Siciliae Consortium, and the special opening of the Villapriolo House Museums, expanding the experience and deepening awareness of migration as an essential part of local history.