In the Footsteps of Miners and “Carusi”: A Day of Memory, Geology, and Words

Valguarnera – Floristella / Giardino di Sant’Antonino – June 21, 2025

On Saturday, June 21, a Geo-Event was held in Valguarnera, dedicated to the memory of the sulfur mines and the enhancement of the area’s geological and cultural landscape. The event was organized by Si.M.Geo – Ecomuseum System of the Rocca di Cerere UNESCO Global Geopark and the GAL Rocca di Cerere Geopark.

A Hike Through Mining History
The day began at the Giardino di Sant’Antonino, where the excursion “In the Footsteps of the Miners and the Carusi”departed—a 5 km trek along the historic paths once taken daily by sulfur mine workers, leading participants to the Floristella site.
Along the way, the key geological features of the Rocca di Cerere UNESCO Global Geopark were explored, offering a blend of scientific education and collective memory.

The hike concluded at Palmento Pennisi, in the heart of Floristella, with a traditional moment of conviviality: the “Miner’s Refreshment”, featuring a cheese tasting curated by Nino D’Angelo from the Kore Siciliae Consortium.

Evening Reading: “Men and Sulfur”
The second part of the event took place once again at the Giardino di Sant’Antonino, where at 9:00 PM, institutional greetings were given by representatives of the Rocca di Cerere UNESCO Global Geopark and the Municipality of Valguarnera.

At 9:15 PM, the reading “Men and Sulfur” was staged—an intense and moving performance curated by Professor Virzìand the L’Arpa Cultural Association. The reading brought to life the voices of Giuseppe Lanza, Franco Savarese, and Leonardo Sciascia, authors who powerfully portrayed the harsh realities faced by sulfur miners and the young carusiwho worked alongside them.

Among the special guests was Michael Cavalieri, whose presence added symbolic and cultural weight to the event, created to honor the stories, struggles, and resilience of those who lived and transformed the land through their labor.