Sant'Agata Festival: scientific committee formed to support UNESCO

Sant'Agata Festival: scientific committee for the UNESCO nomination

The Municipality of Catania has formalized the appointment of a scientific committee to support the process of nominating the Sant'Agata Festival for inscription on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List. The decree recalls the memorandum of understanding signed on 6 June 2025, which launched the official procedure.

The committee will serve in an advisory and technical capacity: preparing documentation, coordinating historical and anthropological research, and supporting public outreach and communication activities required for the nomination.

• President: Enrico Foti (Rector, University of Catania)
• Coordinator: Pier Luigi Petrillo (Director of the UNESCO chair at Unitelma Sapienza)
• Members proposed by the Municipality (Palazzo degli Elefanti): Ignazio Buttitta, Valentina Grasso, Paolo La Greca, Maria Carmela Librizzi, Tommaso Mauceri, Ilaria Spoto Puleo
• Members indicated by the Archdiocese: Carlo Colloca, Antonio Mursia, Teresa Sardella, Elena Zocca
• Members appointed by the University of Catania: Lucia Arcifa, Rossana Barcellona, Ida Nicotra
• Members nominated by the promoting committee: Tiziana Cuccia, Maria Rosa De Luca, Mons. Antonino La Manna, Barbara Mancuso, Arianna Rotondo, Cristina Soraci

The decree specifies that roles are held without remuneration: no fees or attendance tokens will be paid, except for reimbursement of actual expenses and authorized travel within the applicable rules.

Practical objectives and next steps:

• Finalize technical and historical documentation required by UNESCO.
• Coordinate research and scientific contributions on the festival's history, rituals and related intangible heritage.
• Engage local communities and religious institutions in the process.
• Organize conferences and seminars to consolidate evidence supporting the nomination.

The nomination aims to formally recognize the festival as an expression of religious, cultural and social traditions that each year attract thousands of participants, enhancing the role of Sant'Agata in Catania's civic identity.