San Cataldo, April 2, 2026 – Holy Week in San Cataldo confirms itself as an exceptional crossroads of culture and artistic exchange. In this climate of fervor, the city officially welcomed the delegation from Impruneta (FI), composed of Deputy Mayor Laura Cioni, Pro Loco President Emanuela Secci , and Secretary Annalisa Pacini, sealing an artistic twinning that has its beating heart in Piazza Calvario.
Music and Cinema for Art
The meeting was enriched by a deeply moving moment: Maestro Eliana Miraglia performed "Pianto di Maria", a traditional piece from the San Cataldese tradition. The music served as the soundtrack to the trailer for the film dedicated to the ceramics of Piazza Calvario, a project in collaboration with Peppe Cammarata and with multimedia contributions from the Cristo Revolution.
Luca Vanni's Work: An Impruneta Masterpiece in San Cataldo
At the heart of the twinning stands Station VI – “Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus”, a monumental work (176 x 217 cm) created by the Impruneta artist Luca Vanni, heir to the historic tradition of terracotta masters.
The work is distinguished by a complex perspective study of the cross and the dynamism of Veronica, whose outstretched arms convey a strong sense of movement. The technique used is a tribute to Tuscan tradition: after firing at 987°C, the piece was immersed in water to preserve the structure of the Impruneta terracotta. The splendid Baroque frame was decorated in tempera with three symbolic colors: yellow (the sun), green (nature), and white (the purity of Christ), finished with bitumen and copal for a balanced shine.
The Meeting: Dialogue between Cultures and Traditions
At the Falcone-Borsellino Hall, Mayor Gioacchino Comparato and Pro Loco President Salvatore Scarlata hosted a discussion between the two organizations. Representatives from Impruneta described the city's celebrated Grape Festival, an event that, like Holy Week in San Cataldese, defines the identity of a people. The panel of speakers included high-profile speakers:
Prof. Luigi Bontà: He retraced the city's history.
Angelo La Rosa (Geologist): mines Gabbara and the memory of the “Carusi”.
Lino Tumminelli (Assoc. Amico Medico): He presented the tradition of the Sampaoloni.
Vincenzo Ferrara (Association of the Holy Passion of Christ): He spoke about popular devotion.
A Sensory Experience Between Taste and Craftsmanship
The San Cataldese hospitality was also evident at the table. Guests tasted traditional desserts from Forno Carletta (cavatuna and Sicilian flowers) accompanied by Moscato fromAzienda Lombardo. Afterwards, the delegation enjoyed an experiential visit to Panificio Violo, actively participating in the creation of traditional donuts, following the process from dough making to baking in the wood-fired oven.
Conclusion
The twinning with Impruneta, thanks to the work of Luca Vanni and the synergy between the two administrations, brings the name of San Cataldo to the heart of Tuscany and Florence, the world capital of art. A journey that will continue with all the other Italian cities represented in the ceramics of our Calvary.
Photo by Carlo Falzone and Angelo Pilato.
