Ortigia Sound System 2018: Electronic Music Meets Ancient Sicilian Ritual

The fifth edition of the Ortigia Sound System Festival will take place from July 25 to 29, 2018, on the island of Ortigia, Sicily. To celebrate its anniversary, the festival's graphic concept honors the Festa dei Giudei of San Fratello, a pagan medieval ceremony during Holy Week where men dressed as Jews celebrate with trumpets, contrasting with Catholic mourning. Artistic director Germano Centorbi and vice director Enrico Gambadoro explain that the festival aims to merge electronic music with local traditions, showcasing Sicilian identity. The festival will feature a live performance by the Giudei fanfara, alongside acts like Hot Chip and James Holden. Organizers emphasize the importance of integrating cultural heritage into the festival to avoid the failures of past cultural industrialization that devalued the land. The community of San Fratello embraced the concept despite initial unfamiliarity. The festival also includes boat parties, market events, and historical monument venues, aiming to provide a complete experience of Sicily.