Explore the Sicilian capital of Palermo this winter
One of Italy’s most enthralling cities, Palermo has no shortage of events this festive season, from a re-imagining of Romeo and Juliet at Massimo Theatre to an exhibition at the new arts space ZACentrale. Make the most of them by staying in our 19th century palazzo, Villa Igiea and explore the Sicilian capital this winter.
Massimo Theatre’s Romeo and Juliet
Perfect for… romantics
The internationally-renowned choreographer Davide Bombana studied at Accademia Teatro alla Scala in Milan before working as a principal dancer with the Bavarian State Ballet in Munich, Germany. Bombana’s take on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet for Massimo Theatre is ambitious. The raw emotion, combined with Sergei Prokofiev’s score, makes for a passionate re-imagining of the classic love story. Watching the ballet is also a wonderful opportunity to visit Italy’s largest theatre, which is known for its gold and red auditorium and ceiling mural of angels and musicians painted by the Palermo-born artist Rocco Lentini. Book our Christmas package for complimentary tickets to experience this love story accompanied by a Christmas lunch at the hotel.
Massimo Theatre | 19 to 23 December 2021
Piana degli Albanesi’s Epiphany
Perfect for… festival goers
Watch a procession in Piana degli Albanesi, a picturesque town encircled by mountains around 29km south of Palermo. Residents dress in colourful traditional Albanian costumes as the town was founded by Albanian refugees fleeing a Turkish invasion in the late 15th century. The procession honours the Epiphany, which Christians around the world believe marks the night a star led three kings to Jesus after his birth.
Piana degli Albanesi | 6 January 2022
Politeama Garibaldi’s Elektra
Perfect for… fans of Greek tragedies
The German conductor Marcus Bosch is directing Elektra, a one-act opera composed by Richard Strauss at the prestigious Politeama Garibaldi theatre. The classic Greek tragedy follows Clytemnestra and her lover Aegisthus as they kill her husband King Agamemnon. The king’s daughter Elektra is then consumed with the urge to avenge his death. Expect a splendid performance by the Fondazione Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana, the Ukrainian mezzo-soprano Daria Cherniy and sopranos Diana Gouglina and Tineke Van Ingelgem.
Politeama Garibaldi | 28 and 29 January 2022
ZACentrale’s The other, the same
Perfect for… art lovers
Fondazione Merz’s new arts space, ZACentrale, is housed in a former factory in Palermo’s cultural district, Cantieri Culturali alla Zisa. The title of the gallery’s inaugural exhibition, L’altro, lo stesso (The other, the same) comes from a collection of poems by the Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges and includes works by international artists including Afghani artist Liba Adbul who focuses on themes of cultural identity, migration and displacement. Visitors can also listen to a sound work by the duo Silvia Maglioni and Graeme Thomson.
ZACentrale | To 27 March 2022
Villa Igiea is perfectly located to visit exhibitions, concerts, ballets and other cultural events in Palermo. For reservations please call +39 06 3288 8590 or email reservations.villaigiea@roccofortehotels.com.
Agrigento’s roots run as deep as the gnarled olive trees that dot its landscape, stretching back over 2,500 years to its founding as Akragas, one of the greatest cities of the ancient Greek world. Set against a breathtaking coastline, this once thriving cultural and political hub was praised by the Greek poet Pindar as “the most beautiful city of mortals”. Today, this splendour is immortalised in the Valley of the Temples.
In 1925, a world still shell-shocked from the ravages of World War I found renewal in a burgeoning artistic movement: Art Deco. It reflected motion, progress, the future. Immediately embraced by famed Belgian architect Victor Horta, he laid the foundations for Art Deco in Brussels with his plans for the Centre of Fine Arts (Bozar). This marked the inception of a radically modern approach to architecture and art in the city. Now, as Brussels marks a century of Art Deco style, it’s the perfect time to explore this distinctly walkable city with your own budding artists.
Along Italy’s dazzling southern coastline, two Rocco Forte Hotel retreats prepare to welcome spring’s arrival. Each destination, from Puglia’s rolling hills to the sugary shores of Sciacca, exudes charm and space to unwind while offering personalised onsite activities and local experiences.
