With the official presentation at Villa Butera, Mayor Filippo Maria Tripoli launched the celebrations marking the “200th anniversary of the founding of the Municipality of Bagheria (September 21, 1826 – September 21, 2026).” A rich program of cultural initiatives and projects will accompany the city for a full year, running until September 21, 2027.
Key highlights of the celebrations include:
– Major Integrated Events: The Bicentennial will intertwine with iconic local events, such as the Datapolis Festival, the Feast of Saint Joseph, and the “City of Bagheria” Singing Competition.
– Heritage and Culture: Plans are in place to publish historical volumes—featuring multimedia content—covering urban planning, cinema, theater, civil rights, the fight against the Mafia, and the tradition of the Sicilian cart.
– The Official Logo: Unveiling of the Bicentennial symbol, designed and donated by artist Caterina Guttuso; it celebrates the area’s origins linked to the Branciforti family and their 18th-century villas.
– Proposal for a City Anthem: Giuseppe Firenze, president of the “Maria SS. Immacolata” association, presented the piece “Due Secoli di Storia e Virtù” (Two Centuries of History and Virtue)—with music by Maestro Francesco Albanese—initiating the process to select the city’s future anthem.
This historic milestone is designed to actively involve schools, citizens, and local organizations, leaving the community with tangible documents and records of its shared memory and identity.