PALERMO – «On this 25th March we remember the prophetic and contemporary genius of Dante Alighieri, the Homer of the Middle Ages, as Abel-François Villemain, 19th century French historian, man of letters and politician defined him. In a society that is increasingly liquid and devoid of references, the reference to Dante is an expression of identity, conscience and love for our history ». This was stated by the regional councilor for cultural heritage and Sicilian identity, Alberto Samonà, on the occasion of the day of Dantedì, dedicated to the great poet.
«Furthermore, we cannot fail to remember – he adds – his love for Sicily and the high concept regarding Sicilian, not a simple dialect, but a language. Dante, on the other hand, considered the Sicilian Federician school at the origins of our language and literature and its promoter, Frederick II of Swabia, despite being placed in Hell because he was an epicurean heretic, a great emperor as his reign was an expression of civilization, spirit ethics and magnanimity “.
“And Dante’s love for our Earth and its Volcano – adds Samonà – we find it in the eighth canto of Paradise with a very precise description”.
Although there is no historical evidence of his presence in Sicily, in fact, we cannot fail to be struck by his verses which, conveyed by Carlo Martello, make – he continues – even those who have never been there, an imaginative journey in this outpost of the Mediterranean, eulogy continuum of beauty so loved by the Gods, in which we are lucky enough to live: «And the beautiful Trinacria, who caliga | between Pachino and Peloro, above the gulf | which receives more trouble from Euro, | not for Tifeo but for nascent sulfur, | waited would have them his regi again, | born to me of Carlo and Ridolfo, | if bad signal, which always hurts | the peoples subjected, had not | moved Palermo to shout: Mora, mora! “.