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On the 20th of March the itinerant event GAL InContraDanzahas been celebrated in Partinico. In the marvellous setting of theReal Cantina Borbonica (Royal Bourbon Wine Cellar) the programme gained a beautiful environment.
The event started at 5h00 pm with the guided tour of the places of the majestic Bourbon building, unique exemplar for its characteristic and typology in Sicily.
Visitors were guided to discover the ancient wine cellar, its 1000 sq.m under the high cabin ceilings borne by arches. From the large atrium they were guided inside the firm and stable building through its three naves divided by powerful calcarenite pillars and they visited each floors of the impressive and fascinating nineteenth-century agricultural and industrial factory; from silos for cereals to silos for wine.
In the evening, at 6h30 pm, a show with the PupiSiciliani (Sicilian Puppets) – born from Master Nino Canino Tradition – performed the theatre play of the Poor uprising and oftrasmission of cocky behavioursfor defensing man’s honour. In a climate evocating ancient industries, at 8h00 pm visitors could enjoy the farmer happy hour, organized by the APAS Association (Association of Sicilian farmers). Tasting local high quality products made visitors discover the typical tastes in the territory.
Then, in the night the Peter Bernstein Quartet international jazz fascinated audience by a cultural and artistic mix, between past and future, traditions and avant-garde.
 

 

PARTINICO 20 MARCH E 11 APRIL

MUSIC
TASTE
TERRITORY
TRADIZION
After the celebration in Terrasini, the itinerant event GAL InContraDanza went back to Partinico on the 11th of April 2015, on the occasion of traditional celebration for Maria Santissima del Ponte (The Virgin of the Bridge).
The town of Partinico, located in the green valley of Nocella river, was the setting of a feast where tradition, folklore and the Sacred meet in a perfect harmony.
The event started at 3h00 pm/5h00 pm with the guided visit to the Shrine of Maria Santissima del Ponte, organized by the delegation of the Shrine. Visitors were guided within the church, in the SaladeiMiracoli (Hall of Miracles), in the ScalinatadeiMiracoli (staircase of the Miracles)and in the Misteri del Rosario (Misteries of the Rosary).
At 4h00 pm the Sicilian Carts parade, organized by A.S.D. The knights of Mith and History,  started.
The Mith and the History connected to the Sicilian Cart Art marched in the town streets accompanied by music and colours.
In the night, two free music shows took place: at 8h30 pm, in the evocative churchyard of the Maria Santissima del Ponte Church the “QuellidellaContradanza” band performed the engaging rhythm of Contradanza, at 9h00 pm the pop rock concert of the “Clan Zero” band take place with a cultural and artistic mix, between past and future, traditions and avant-garde.
 

The images of the event Partinico, March 20, 2015

The images of the event Partinico, April 11, 2015

Spot Radiofonico Partinico 11.4.05 -
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Spot Radiofonico Partinico 20.03.15 -
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Music, Taste and Territory in the Gulf of Castellammare

Anchor 10
MUSIC IN PARTINICO
 
Peter Bernstein brought international level jazz in Partinico on the 20th of March in the marvellous setting ofReal Cantina Borbonica (Royal Bourbon Wine Cellar). This quartet represent the New Yorker way jazz of the modern jazz.
Born in New York, Bernstein played with the greatest jazz players in the world and his warm guitar tone and his lyrical melodic lines can be easily recognized both by aficionados and by jazz experts. It is a pleasure listening to this quartet of musicians from New York (three of them born in New York, the fourth New Yorker by choice). They are extraordinary modern jazz virtuosos.
 
Peter Bernstein, guitar; Sam Yahel, piano; Omer Avital, double bass; Greg Hutckinson, drum.
 
 BERNSTEIN QUARTET
"Peter Bernstein is the most universally respected and admired jazz guitarist of his generation. In his playing, we hear echoes of the celebrated guitarists of the past, with an unmistakable and fresh perspective. He has honed his playing to the essential core of the music; each note is treated with extreme love and importance." (Randy Napoleon).
 
Throughout the 1990s, Bernstein was at the forefront of contemporary jazz; he played with Joshua Redman, Melvin Rhyne, Diana Krall, Larry Goldings, Bill Stewart, Jimmy Cobb, Lee Konitz, Roy Hargrove, Tom Harrell, Joe Lovano, Jack McDuff, Lonnie Smith, Eric Alexander, Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, Mike LeDonne and many more. Bernstein is known for his clean, warm guitar tone and his lyrical melodic lines
 
TASTE
TRADIZION
AREA
 
TERRITORY OF PARTINICO

 

The Town of Partinico is located in the central-eastern part of the Province of Palermo, at the border to the Province of Trapani. It is at the slopes of the Gradara mountain, in the valley of Nocella river.
The town rises on a flat area, which has a well-connected infrastructure thanks to the clos highway, easily reachable from the city centre.
Its ancient origins are testified by Greek and Roman archeological in the area.
Documented attestantions related to the early inhabited centre dated back to the Middle Age period, when the Normans gained the power in the land. There are no historical facts that particularly distinguished the ancient Borgo, but it is known that in 13th century the centre was destroyed during the war between Angevins and Aragoneses. In 1600 the land became part of the DemanioRegio (royal domains). It achieved administrative autonomy in XIX century. In 1700 Bourbons arrived and the Austrians were driven out of the island. The abbey of Altofonte continued administrating the territory of Partinico through its abbots, who tried to increase their profits by revaluating the lands given in emphyteusis (a kind of long-term lease with purchase option)and the introduction of new taxes on fruits not taxed before. On May 17th 1860 the population rose up and won against the Bourbon, who tried to plunder: this historical fact is known as Eccidio di Partinico (the Massacre of Partinico).
Partinico is an old town, famous for its agriculture. It is, indeed, one of the biggest producers of wine grapes, vegetables, fruits cultivated in big greenhouses, almonds, olives.
 
The greatest strengh of local hadicraft is iron and woodworking.
The secondary sector is made of enterprises operating in various sectors.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

THE REAL CANTINA BORBONICA (REAL BOURBON CELLAR)

This extraordinary building, unique exemplar  in Sicily for  type and characteristics, is located on the outskirts of the town, along the road to San Cipirrello. Refugee from Naples to Palermo, Ferdinand I, King of the Two Sicilies, purchased the land and a small house by Francesco del Castillo, Marquis of Gran Montagna.In 1800, he commissioned the Cav. FeliceLioj, land agent of the Real Commenda, to buy the lands of theCrocifisso (Crucifix) district, of the Capo dell’Acqua or Cubaand of the CesaròMountain, whichtoghether would constitute the so-called "RealPodere di Partinico”(Royal farm of Partinico) extended up to 80salmas (the salma was an ancient Sicilian unit of measurement for rural lands, equal to 17.415,37 m²)Between 1880 and 1802 he funded the buildings of the cellar in the Crocifisso(Crucifix)district, under the direction of the Royal Carlo Chenchéand with the collaboration of Giuseppe Patti from Partinico.
Erected as a  “cellar of wine, liquors and oils" with  "warehouse, tavern and inn" annexed, the cellar was not only the centre for the collection and sale of the products of the Royal farm, but also a landmark for local owners of farms, under the MonrealeArchbishop district for royalties tax payment.
TRADITIONS OF PARTINICO

 

THEMADONNA DEL PONTE (THE VIRGIN OF THE BRIDGE)

 

The Feast of the Madonna del Ponte is celebrated the Sunday after Easter. It is a tradition in common with the inhabitants of Balestrate, Trappeto and Alcamo. The Shrine is located in the territory of Partinico although in a district almost equidistant from the four municipalities.

The Madonna del Ponte takes its name from the bridge, which, since the fourteenth century, offers travelers a safe passage from one bank of the river Jato to reach the shrine of Santa Maria di Altofonte, the original name of the church.

Tradition says that it was found a statue of the Virgin Mary in a cave, near a bridge, and that four residents of the four neighboring towns began to contend for the possession of the statue. At the end, as jointly agreed, it was decided to erect a church in the place where the sculpture was discovered to keep and venerate together the sacred statue. During the celebrations, indeed, tradition dictates that if the picture of the Virgin Mary comes out from the church at 12h00 o’clock it will belong to Partinico; if it delays in coming out until 12h30 pm it will belong to the habitants of Alcamo, if the delay prolongs until 1h00 pm it will belong to Balestrateand until 1h30 pm to Trappeto.

PARTINICO TASTE
 
The wine and food products can be considered as a synthesis of a manufacturing process completely based on the local resources and connecting the product directly to the territory. Concerning this, besides local row materials, also climate features, landscape, historical and cultural factors, customs, ancient professions, races bred, vegetables cultivated, places and ways of making contribute to lend these local delights unique organoleptic characteristics, which cannot be reproduced outside their provenance.
Tastes in Partinico are connected to the rich variety of local countryside products (wine grapes,  vegetables, fruits, almonds and olives) and to the traditional recipes of Sicilian culture (buccellati, busiati with pork meat sauce, Sicilian cannoli). 
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