In the mid-thirties of the last century, the German philosopher Walter Benjamin entrusted to his essay The work of art in the age of its technical reproducibility the thesis (clearly debatable ...) according to which photography and cinema were not fully considered works of art, since they are perfectly reproducible. With the introduction of the aesthetic and, in a certain sense, mystical concept of the aura, he indissolubly linked art to the singularity of experience, in other words to non-reproducibility. For Benjamin's thought, a mosaic of flowers would therefore be the work of art par excellence, as absolutely not reproducible, since it would concern the impossible use of the same identical flowers. It would respond fully to the need for hic et nunc, ie its unique and unrepeatable existence in the place where it is: the ephemeral nature of the flower, its quick to change to withering, it amplifies the uniqueness of the mosaic in every moment in which it is admired. In this sense, the Infiorata di Noto is a real artistic triumph!


Before lending itself to artistic interests, the mosaic responded to practical needs of solidity in order to endure paving. The introduction of the aesthetic care of the mosaics is due to the Egyptians and Greeks, but it is only with the Romans that this artistic expression rises to the high levels of refinement found, for example, in the Roman Villa del Casale or in the Roman Villa of Tellaro. In Sicily the legacy of this mosaic tradition is collected by Arabs and Normans and expressed, for example, in the cathedrals of Monreale, Cefalù and in Palermo Palazzo dei Normanni.
Benedetto Drei, in the Vatican Rome of the seventeenth century, was the forerunner of the art of flowering in order to emulate the mosaics. He was an authoritative prosecutor and popularizer Gian Lorenzo Bernini who exported this art in the area of the Castelli Romani. In particular, in the eighteenth century in Genzano were set up floral carpets on the feast of Corpus Domini. Among other events, the tradition of inflorescence in Genzano was handed down until 1922, when it was decided for an annual and systematic organization. The similar netina manifestation, which generally takes place during the third week of may, is born in 1980 from the encounter between the infioratori of Genzano and some netini artists which, fascinated by this artistic expression, have tried with luck to import it to Noto. Since then the ascent of via Corrado Nicolaci has dressed in a soft carpet of flower mosaics leading, under the magnificent baroque balconies, to the entrance of the Church of Montevergini and the Villa Dorata Palace.


Every year a different theme is proposed that acts as a common thread to floral works: for example, in 2013 it was the turn Japan, in 2014 Russia, in 2015 of Catalonia, in 2016, with only a hint of ambition ..., of World, in 2017 of the Principality of Monaco . As is easy to see, the leitmotif has for some years almost always been a state or a geographical region from which the artists who accompany their artistic talent to the local are invited, thus creating an interesting cultural twinning and giving the netina event a international breadth. In the Infiorata there are also connected to other cultural events such as concerts, theatrical performances, excellent craft exhibitions, etc.
The City of Noto has thus provided proof of great foresight, creating an annual event for cultural tourism alternative to the appeal that in itself already exerts its baroque. In fact, Noto is confirmed as the most complete tourist attraction center of the entire district of south eastern Sicily, Siracusa excluded, able to generate tourist flows not exclusively summer, combining the charm of culture to the beauty of its sea. In other words, Noto must be understood by the surrounding municipalities as a springboard for their own initiatives and not as a competitor to be countered. In my humble way of seeing, the choices of organizing a Inverdurata in Pachino (which is clearly a "derivation" of the Infiorata) the week before the most famous netina event are chosen without logic. , even worse, a Fragolata in Marzamemi in conjunction with Infiorata ...


The infiorata 2018, to be held between 18 and 20 May, entitled China in Flower "The Silk Roads", will therefore be dedicated to meeting with Chinese culture. Here find more detailed information. In this edition, as in the previous year, floral mosaics will also be made along Via Galileo Galilei. Among the countless cultural and recreational initiatives, you will be able to attend a fashion show in 18th century clothing correlated by musici and environmental context for this purpose, as well as the possibility of taste goodies, traditional local dishes and wines, all around the historic center of the city. These are some of the words of presentation of the event of the Mayor of Noto Corrado Bonfanti, flew to China to agree on the organization: we are convinced that such a great country is China, so rich, so important, one of civilization oldest in the world, can present us a very rich 2018.