Patronal feast of St. George the martyr

The historical information on the feast of S. Giorgio in Ibla dates back to the sixteenth century. The celebratory event is characterized by a long series of celebrations dedicated to the Saint that take place in an atmosphere of joy and triumph expressed in the traditional dazzled. The procession is opened by the banners of the various Iblean brotherhoods, each present with traditional costume, accompanied by lights, music and sounds, fireworks and shows. On the Roman calendar, the feast of the saint falls on April 23, but the celebrations always take place on the last Sunday of May or even at the beginning of June (as in the last two years).

The rite is divided into several actions aimed at celebrating the Saint: on the Sunday before April 23, the spectacular translation or skinny the simulacrum of San Giorgio and the Holy Ark inside the Ragusa cathedral; during the triduum at the end of May the following are held: the Historical parade, which recalls the battle of the saint against the Dragon with a large allegorical chariot in which the protagonists of the story appear; the Friday procession, when St. George and the Holy Ark leave the Cathedral to reach the Church of Purgatory, located in the Piazza Repubblica area, located at the entrance to Ibla, where the holy ark remains while the simulacrum of St. George it is instead placed inside the church of S. Tommaso, near the Hyblaean gardens; the Saturday procession, which starts from S. Tommaso with the simulacrum and continues up to Purgatory where the holy ark is taken, so as to be able to return together with the Cathedral; on Sundays, the whole city lives around its patron saint and after the Holy Mass in the afternoon the expectation for the "exit" grows, preceded by the municipal bands and flag-wavers who introduce thedazzledand the main procession, solemn, accompanied by the brotherhoods with the various banners and banners of the Municipality and Province. At the Iblei Gardens the bearers of the vara load the Patron on their shoulders leaving the chariot, and carrying him in their arms, they continue towards Piazza Duomo they will make him dance as tradition, even hoisting him high with outstretched arms, screaming continuously All Truonu! which means that he is the patron saint of the city. The pyrotechnic games close the celebrations.

Characterized by the procession that unfolds through the streets of Ibla, the statue of the knight (represented on horseback, dressed as an ancient soldier, armed with a silver lance while facing and killing a terrible dragon) is carried on the shoulders by the faithful and followed. by a crowd of devotees.