After 72 years from their last appearance, the “Santuna di San Pietro” return. The giant mobile statues depicting Jesus and the twelve apostles which until 1953 characterized the feast of St. Peter on 29 June.
The “Santuna” once supported the procession of St. Peter on June 29th. In fact, these proceeded the statue of the patron saint, in addition to the twelve apostles and Jesus there were also other choreographic elements such as the giant six-meter Saint Christopher. However, the Santuna procession was later suppressed by decision of the religious authorities, but the tradition was not lost.
“Theirs was a march where, on the feast day of the Saint, the message of salvation of Jesus was announced to the people of God, and then returned together to the Mother Church” the Via delle Collegiate Association explains in an infographic regarding the presence of the Santoni.
In fact, on Sunday 16 June at 8.00 pm, St. Peter, the first of the holy men, measuring just over four meters, will be presented to the public. The initiative is promoted by the KaliKantun association, founded by Giuseppe Walter Buscema and Pierpaolo Ruta.
A project in memory of Giorgio Buscema and Franco Ruta
Giuseppe Walter Buscema and Pierpaolo Ruta have completed a project started some time ago in memory of their parents Giorgio Buscema, journalist for “La Sicilia”, and Franco Ruta, who was responsible for the development of chocolate in Modica, well-known enthusiasts of the popular traditions of the County of Modica.
The Kalikantun association is operating in harmony and synergy with the parish of San Pietro, coordinated by Don Giuseppe Stella, who has greatly welcomed the revival of a tradition that disappeared in 1953 and of which traces remain only in old photos and videos.
The implementation of the entire “Santuna di San Pietro” project will see full completion in the jubilee year of 2025 and for which the participation of many volunteers is expected.
A Spanish tradition still alive in Sicily
The presence of the Santoni in Modica derives from an ancient Spanish tradition where attention for the “gigantes” is still alive today. In Sicily the giants remained for various popular festivals in Aidone, San Cataldo, Caltagirone, Barrafranca, Mistretta and Aragona. These are giants over three meters tall who in the past were made of papier-mâché and wood covered by tunics and carried by volunteers along a route.
The new “santoni” of San Pietro are made with innovative materials by local workers after years of research and studies carried out by the Kalikantun association.
Certainly what is proposed by the Kalikantun Association is an action that aims to rediscover the history and traditions of the City of Modica. A tangible way to remember the past and chart a new future.
