The folk group “A Lanterna” was born in Licata in 1989 thanks to some youngsters already experienced in the field
of Sicilian folklore with the aim of keeping in life, handing down to the new generations and popularizing artistically, both in Italy and abroad: the folk traditions of our city, and also establishing cultural relations with Italian and foreign groups, in order to increase tourism in our city.
The group is formed of about 40 members but the team varies according to the show, in fact up to a minimum of 16 elements may appear in the show.
The CORPS DE BALLET faithfully performs the traditional Sicilian dances which are:
- La tarantella – the typical and, undoubtedly the most cheerful dance. It was danced in any
occasion but especially during the folk festivals and according to the “friscalettu”;
- La controdanza – this dance was also used in any occasion but especially for wedding
ceremonies. It was imported during the French Rule;
- La polka – the typical dance of country-men. It was danced principally at the end of working periods in the fields for the harvest of crop.
The soloist and the chorus, formed by 30 people, apart from traditional songs such as “Vitti
na crozza” – “Sciuri-sciuri” – “Sicilia-Sicilia” also perform unpublished songs which make our show unique, with themes such as: love and nature exalting poetry.
The small orchestra is directed by skilful conductors that with their traditional instruments (friscalettu, tamburo, marranzanu, cianciani, bummulu, cerchietto, fisarmonica, chitarra e mandolino) convey a particular atmosphere and a nostalgic tone to the show. The members of the
group wear original and typical costumes of the 18 th century with bright colours; those of girls are embroidered with satin and hand pointed laces.
Among the other things, in the last few years, the members of the group have been
collecting hundreds of ethnographic pieces in order to preserve them and exhibit them in a museum when this will be created.
