Catania submits Sant’Agata festival dossier for UNESCO candidacy

The city of Catania has officially submitted a dossier to the Italian Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli, to nominate the Feast of Saint Agatha for inclusion on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Mayor Enrico Trantino presented the documentation at Palazzo Platamone, marking the end of the local drafting phase led by a scientific committee. The process now moves to the national evaluation stage, where Italian institutions will decide whether to formally present the candidacy to UNESCO.

The Feast of Saint Agatha is recognized as one of the third most attended religious festivals in the world. Beyond its religious significance, the celebration is described as a vital pillar of Sicilian identity, involving complex traditions such as the massive candelore, processions, and community rituals that have been passed down through generations.