'Stranger of Love', from 2 al 4 August in Riposto art events, music and entertainment in homage to Franco Battiato

It takes its name from one of his most beloved songs, 'Stranger of Love', the three-day event with which the city of Riposto, from 2 al 4 August, will pay homage to maestro Franco Battiato. Promoted by the Municipality of Riposto, with the patronage of the regional tourism department, of Sport and Entertainment and of the Sicilian Regional Assembly, the event will see alternating, from 2 al 4 August, moments of art, music and entertainment, all with free admission. The event is curated by the artistic director Carmen Bellalba with the collaboration of the photography teacher Carmen Cardillo. Michele Battiato will also be present at the event, brother of the late artist. The art, in its many forms, will be the central point of the review.

'STRANGE OF LOVE’

The opening is scheduled for Friday 2 August, at ore 20, in St. Peter's Square, with the inauguration of nine blow-ups, installed under the arches of the City Palace, which tell the story of the artist's life since the 1980s, the years of the explosion of success, until recent years. Immediately afterwards, in Piazza Giovanni Arcidiacono (on the seafront in front of the port), the second exhibition will be inaugurated with the reconstruction of the first phase of the artist's life. An emotional journey that will allow the visitor to relive Battiato's life in his place of origin, through two large cubes. The artistic project includes, furthermore, the creation of some silhouettes that will highlight the key places in the artist's life.

At ore 21, always in Arcidiacono square, the Riposte storyteller Luigi Di Pino will perform with the song 'Cca tornu', short story of Franco Battiato. An unreleased piece composed to celebrate the artist. Immediately afterwards, the mural created by the eclectic Palermo artist Igor Scalisi Palminteri will be inaugurated. The monumental triptych will tell the story of the artist's three ages: from the end of life, from the years of exploits to the childhood phase. A journey backwards that will bring the master back to Riposto and which will remain permanently in the artist's native neighborhood.

The 3 August, at ore 19, curated by Marina Valensise under the supervision of Davide Livermore Sailing Club the art exhibition 'The perfect anomaly' will open in the Port of Etna Marina di Riposto, can be visited until 18 August. The works created by the artists are on display: Francesco Bondi, Carmen Cardillo, Giuseppe Musumeci, Christian Lanni, Giuseppe La Spada, Filippo La Vaccara, Giuseppe Patanè, Benedetto Poma and Maurizio Pometti. A story, through their works, of the emotions that Franco Battiato conveyed to them. Among the works on display there is also a painting created by Battiato himself, coming from a private collection. In St. Peter's Square, then, at ore 21, 'Ciao Franco' will be on stage, the first musical inspired by Franco Battiato, with the aid of video mapping.

In the end, the 4 August, great closing at ore 21 in St. Peter's Square with the concert of the singer Dolcenera accompanied by the Orchestra del Teatro 'F. Cilea' of Reggio Calabria directed by Maestro Dario Siclari. The evening will be hosted by Maurizio Caruso.

You can reach the historic center of Riposto from Villa Maria in a few minutes on foot.