Melbourne will once again host a vibrant celebration of Sicilian heritage when Avventure Siciliane II takes centre stage from 23 to 31 October 2025 at CO.AS.IT. and the Eolian Hall in Carlton.
The festival, presented by the Sicilian Arts Collective Australia (SACA), brings together theatre, music, film and discussion, offering audiences an intimate encounter with Sicily’s language, history and cultural identity.
The opening night, “The Last Sicilian” (23 October), explores the fragility of the Sicilian language, portrayed as a character nearing its symbolic death. Written by Rosanna Morales and performed with Rosa Voto, the play intertwines music by Irine Vela and is followed by a lecture on Sicilian linguistics by Professor Joseph Lo Bianco. The evening promises not only theatre but also reflection, inviting audiences to consider the importance of preserving minority languages in a rapidly globalising world.
On 28 October, the focus shifts to the world premiere of the documentary “La Cava Bianca”, an evocative film tracing the legacy of Lipari’s abandoned pumice quarry. Directed by Marco Mensa and Elisa Mereghetti, it reflects on memory, labour and environmental scars, with a haunting prelude performed on ancient wind instruments by Kelly Dowall.
The following evening honours journalist, playwright and former Italian Senator Nino Randazzo with staged readings of his works, including “Il Pane e le Rose” and “Victoria Market: Genesis of a Myth”. Music by Elvira Andreoli enriches the performance, highlighting the cultural contributions of Sicilian voices in Australia and drawing a direct line between storytelling, migration and identity.
Closing the program on 31 October is “I fimmini diciunu No!”, a monodrama by Sicilian artist Donatella La Macchia. Set in 1971 Filicudi, it recounts how local women resisted the government’s relocation of mafiosi to their island. Professor Marcello Saija will provide historical context, accompanied by percussionist Giovanni di Stefano, amplifying the story’s urgency and the courage of ordinary women confronting state decisions.
“Avventure Siciliane is a remarkable opportunity to encounter Sicilian culture through performance, film and lively discussion,” says Theatre Director Laurence Strangio. With its blend of art, memory and political resonance, the festival underscores the enduring power of language, identity and collective resistance within the Sicilian diaspora, while also deepening Melbourne’s role as a hub for multicultural artistic exchange. Beyond entertainment, the program is designed to spark dialogue across generations, encouraging younger audiences of Italian descent to rediscover their heritage and connect with traditions that continue to evolve in Australia’s diverse cultural landscape.
Tickets available at: trybooking.com/eventlist/sicilianarts.
