Ragusa, a great suggestion for the living Stations of the Cross that animated the most fascinating corners of Ibla.

The Living Stations of the Cross 2026 recorded an extraordinary public participation, confirming itself as one of the most heartfelt and identity-defining events of the community of Ragusa in the ancient city of Ibla. The event, which began at the Church of San Francesco all'Immacolata, transformed the streets and views of the baroque town into an exciting and engaging path, where faith, tradition, and theater found a perfect synthesis.

The various scenes of the Passion were represented at different points in the ancient city, which once again proved to be the ideal setting to host a sacred narrative that belongs to the collective memory. The crowd, very numerous, accompanied Jesus along the entire path to Calvary, participating with respect and intensity in every moment of the representation. The reconstruction of the crucifixion on the steps of the Cathedral of San Giorgio offered one of the most evocative and moving moments of the entire evening, highlighting the symbolic and scenic power of a place that, illuminated and crowded, restored all the strength of the rite.

The full success of the 2026 edition was made possible thanks to the contribution of institutions, associations, professionals, and citizens who collaborated with dedication. The youth of the Mother Church of San Giorgio Martire thank the Free Municipal Consortium of Ragusa and President Maria Rita Schembari, the Municipality of Ragusa, the San Giorgio Martire Association, and the San Giorgio Martire Porters Association – Don Peppino Firrincieli, the Novum 1693 Association, and the Natural Commercial Center Antica Ibla. A special thanks goes to the residents of the Palazzo Di Quattro and the Palazzo Battaglia, to Mario La Terra – Assap Opera Pia Iblea, and to Filmvision by Raffaele Chiavola for the video recordings.

For the creation of the costumes, Chiara Garozzo, Lucrezia Panza, Gina Mezzasalma, Enza Firrincieli, Giovanna Firrincieli, Vanessa La Terra, Lucia Lomagno, Antonella Cappello, Loredana La Terra, and Grazia Trombatore.

Thanks to Pippo Guastella, Gianni Piccitto, Gianluca Trombatore, Andrea Giglio, Emanuele Cascone, Riccardo Ciaffaglione, Giovanni Guastella, Giorgio Moltisanti, Giovanni Spataro, Stefano Avola, and Giorgio Tribastone for the scenery and props.

For audio and lights, Gianni Garozzo, Giorgio Tribastone, Daniele Savarino, and Salvo Schembari; for makeup Simona Salinitro. The scene coordination was managed by Valeria Nasello, while the procession was coordinated by Saro Mezzasalma, Salvo Guastella, Marco Guastella, and Pippo Guastella. Readers: Lilla SantaCroce and Chiara Scannavino. Direction: Salvo Tribastone and Stefano Garozzo.

A special thanks also goes to all the performers who brought the characters of the Passion to life: Stefano Garozzo (Jesus), Aurora Scannavino (Mary), Gaia Occhipinti (Mary Magdalene), Gaia Napolitano (Mary of Cleopas), Emanuele Cascone (John), Giovanni Sortino (Peter), Stefano Barresi (James), Mirko Guastella (Judas), Carmelo Vitale (Philip), Peppe Ferraro (Bartholomew), Giorgio Guastella (Thomas), Uccio Tuminello (Matthew), Gianni Avola (Andrew), Salvo Schembari (Simon), Salvatore Avola (Matthew), Gabriele Licitra (Judas Thaddeus), Marco Scalone (Caiaphas), Giovanni Guastella, Giorgio Moltisanti, Gianni Battaglia, and Giovanni Savà (members of the Sanhedrin), Alessandro Battaglia, Giovanni Spataro, Andrea Di Stefano, Antonio Cascone, and Vincenzo Chessari (guards of the Sanhedrin), Tommaso Avola (Barabbas), Gianni Garozzo (Pontius Pilate), Benedetta Antoci, Dorotea Tribastone, and Anna Cassarino (handmaidens of Pilate), Nicole Criscione (Claudia), Riccardo Ciaffaglione (Roman centurion), Rosario Burrafato, Andrea Vita, Luca Ragusa, Salvatore Chessari, Andrea Giglio, Luca Gurrieri, and Luigi Gurrieri (Roman soldiers), Alessandro Antoci and Carmelo Raniolo (The two thieves), Stefano Avola (Simon of Cyrene), Chiara Garozzo (Veronica), Salvatore La Terra (Joseph of Arimathea), Antonella Cappello, Loredana La Terra, Lucrezia Panza, Barbara Panza, Maria Schininà, Vanessa La Terra, and Gioele, Ivana Savarino (women of Jerusalem), Luigi Gurrieri (Satan).

The Living Stations of the Cross 2026 concludes with a more than positive assessment, confirming the strength of a tradition that continues to unite the community and enhance the historical and human heritage of Ragusa Ibla. An event that, once again, has managed to transform sacred memory into a shared experience of great intensity.