The presentation conference of the new book by Dr. took place in the Cathedral Basilica of Sant’Agata VM in Catania. Nicolò Fiorenza, a young art historian who recently received the role of honorary regional inspector of Sicily from the regional Department of Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity. The event, organized by the Alessandro Scarlatti Italian Cultural Institute, obtained the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, the regional department of Cultural Heritage and Sicilian Identity, the Sicilian Regional Assembly, the Municipality of Catania and the Archdiocese of Catania.
“The Cathedral of Catania – The silent detail”, this is the title of the book, was presented in the presence of HE Mons. Luigi Renna, Metropolitan Archbishop of Catania, who edited the preface, of Mons. Barbaro Scionti, Parish Priest of the Basilica Catania Cathedral, by Enrico Trantino, Mayor of Catania, by Donatella Aprile, Superintendent of Cultural Heritage of Catania, and by Gianfranco Pappalardo, head of the Scarlatti Cultural Institute.
It is a book that is the result of careful research born during the author’s training and developed into an itinerary that aims to involve the reader and push him to a more aware and attentive vision of the Cathedral of Catania. A work that follows two other publications, “Ancone Rinascimentali in Sicilia” and “Messina Città Perduta”. “The silent detail is what is potentially visible to everyone’s eyes but which is actually unknown to most – explained Nicolò Fiorenza – This volume is an itinerary through all the masterpieces that are hidden inside the Cathedral, from paintings to sculptures , without neglecting the best known ones, such as the Chapel of Sant’Agata. I then analyze the important history of the reconstruction of the Cathedral – continues the author – also showing unpublished photos of how the place of worship looked before the restorations of the 1920s and 1950s. The Cathedral of Catania is the temple of the greatest faith, where it all began when Saint Peter sent Saint Beryl to take on the role of first Bishop. Art and history intertwine in a square that is one of the most beautiful stages in Italy. Giving further value to this magnificent Cathedral – concludes Fiorenza – with all its centuries behind it, was a necessary action”.
The Archbishop of Catania, Monsignor Luigi Renna, present at the conference, appreciated the work of Dr. Nicolò Fiorenza: “The works that we have – said Renna – are unique works and some are truly stupendous, like that of Suppa, which we find on the cover, the mission that Saint Peter entrusts to Saint Beryllus, showing him the way to Catania, or like our Chapel of Sant’Agata. The detail is silent because it does not speak to the eye of the distracted person, it needs contemplation, it needs to linger. He is silent, but he speaks. And who allows him to speak? Who does research. And Nicolò Fiorenza allows them to speak by telling their story, their clients”. Silent details that continue to amaze those who work daily inside the Cathedral, as explained by Monsignor Barbaro Scionti, parish priest of the Cathedral Basilica of Sant’Agata.
