Lindsay Marie Morris

Emerging in the 19th century, when Sicily's working class would gather nightly to watch puppet shows for entertainment, Opera dei Pupi is today recognized by Unesco as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of humanity. Generations of marionette puppeteers carried on the tradition, also known as Teatro dei Pupi, performing stories from medieval chivalric literature, Renaissance Italian poems, saints' lives, and tales of bandits, often improvising the dialogue.

 

In its heyday, there were about forty Opera dei Pupi theaters. Today, 10 companies perform in six Sicilian towns. 

 

Times have changed. The COVID-19 pandemic didn't help. But the art continues—thanks in part to Syracuse puppeteer Daniel Mauceri. 

  

For 40 years, Daniel's family has carried on the tradition of building puppets and staging performances. The puppet artist grew up with hands often covered in paint, surrounded by the scent of wood and the sounds of grandfather Alfredo Vaccaro, tinkering away with his utensils.

 

Daniel credits his father, Umberto Mauceri, with nurturing his manual skills, which he uses today in creating and restoring puppets that appear in private homes as well as in international museums. And, of course, there are those puppets reserved for puppet shows. 

 

Performances are geared for all ages, tapping into classical themes and stories as well as new interpretations. The theater caters to all ages and even offers shows in English by request.

 

I recently caught up with Daniel to learn more about his art and adherence to tradition, as well as puppetry's place in modern society. 

 

 

What is your background?

I am originally from Sicily, a land that lives and breathes the tradition of the Opera dei Pupi. I live and work in Ortigia in Syracuse, among workshops and theaters that were part of my childhood and my growth as an artist.

 

What inspired you to continue the family tradition of Opera dei Pupi?

I was born and raised within this ancient art. Even as a child, I knew and wanted to become a puppeteer. Growing up surrounded by puppets and everything that revolves around them has fueled in me a deep bond with this tradition. I felt the need to give it new life, respecting the roots but also adding my personal touch by creating an association that allows me to perform shows and a brand that bears my name, "Daniel Mauceri Arte Pupara dal 1978."
 

What are some of the most difficult aspects of creating these puppets?

One of the most challenging aspects is certainly maintaining the high-quality craftsmanship of each puppet, respecting the precision in the details. Each work requires hours of meticulous work, from the carving of the wood to the painting of the faces to the embossing and chiseling of the armor. Each step is essential to conveying the authenticity and emotion of this work.
 

How do you ensure each puppet maintains the traditional elements while also incorporating your own unique artistic touch?

Respect for detail is key. Each puppet comes out of a studio and still follows the classic canons in realization, such as the use of authentic materials and traditional techniques. However, in the creative process, I add a personal touch, both in the expressions of the paper-mâché faces to give each puppet a personality that distinguishes it and in the creation of the armor.
 

What materials do you use for the puppets?

The puppets are mainly made of pine and beech wood, paper-mâché for the faces of the puppets, and copper, brass, nickel, silver, or bronze (all beaten by hand) for the armor. I find the materials through national suppliers.
 

How has the art of Sicilian puppets evolved over the years, and what role do you think it plays in modern culture?

The art of puppets has changed little in its essence, but today, it has a different value. It has become a cultural symbol that represents Sicily all over the world. In modern culture, puppet theater acts as a bridge between past and present, educating and fascinating new generations.
 

What is one of your most memorable moments as a puppeteer?

One of the most memorable moments was seeing a child's reaction during a performance. His eyes lit up, and at that moment, I realized that, despite modern times, puppet art still has the power to enchant. This same child, now grown up, helps me during the shows by moving my puppets.

What advice would you give someone interested in learning the art of Sicilian puppets?

I recommend studying the tradition in depth and approaching the puppet families with humility. You could also initially take advantage of my workshops on the construction of the puppets. It is important to understand that this tradition tells an ancient story. You have to respect the times and methods of the past, but don't be afraid to add something personal.

 

>>Learn more about Daniel Mauceri Arte Pupara dal 1978 here!<<

 

 

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My mother was born in the U.S., but she didn't speak English until kindergarten. Instead, she spoke Sicilian as she was brought up in a Sicilian-speaking household. She's retained the language and uses it to communicate with our family back in Palermo and Porticello. 

While I don't speak much Italian myself, I am most familiar with the Sicilian language. 

Notice I didn't say dialect? That's because Sicilian is a separate language with a rich history that predates the Italian language. Recognized as a minority language by UNESCO and the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, Sicilian has its own Wikipedia section and is a featured Google Translate language.

For more insight into this unique Romance language, I sat down for a Zoom session with Gaetano Cipolla, a retired professor of Italian and Chairman of the Department of Modern Foreign Languages at St. John's University in New York City. Professor Cipolla additionally serves as president of Arba Sicula, an organization that promotes the language and culture of Sicily. 

 

 

What is your background?

I was born in Sicily. I am from Francavilla di Sicilia. I came here as an immigrant in 1955, and, well, it's been a long time. I taught at St. John's and several other universities in the metropolitan area: NYU, Fordham… and others. 

I became the president of Arba Sicula in 1988. I was also the editor for its publications.

 

I've published several books on Sicilian grammar. One is called Learn Sicilian, which is already in its fourth reprint. The second one is called Learn Sicilian II, which is a continuation. It presumes that you have studied Sicilian, that you know some Sicilian. It's an advanced course for Sicilian.

 

How are your books being used?

The first book, Learn Sicilian, is being used as a textbook in many different places. It's being used at Italian Charities of America here in New York. It was used also at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. And it is used in New Orleans, Buffalo, New York, and Rochester. The first grammar book was translated into Italian by a colleague of mine who teaches at the Manouba University in Tunis. He is the chair of Sicilian studies there, and he's teaching Sicilian using my textbook. 

I had no idea that I was going to be able to see my textbook being used anywhere because it's very difficult to introduce not only a new language into a program, for example, at St. John's. I mean, I could have done it there, but not as part of the curriculum because people would probably object. What is the need for it? But I am glad to tell you that the first book is being used and bought in America by many, many people. 

 

Tell us about your translation work.

I am a translator of Sicilian poetry. I translate all of the major poets who have written in Sicilian because, as you know, most people think wrongly that Sicilian is a dialect and a corruption of Italian, which is absolutely wrong. 

I have actually produced two series of books that introduce Americans to Sicilian poetry because I believe that poets are a country's best ambassadors. 

 

How did the various historical rulers of Sicily influence the Sicilian language?

If you study Sicilian, you will find that it has all the different words introduced into the language by the various people who have been there—mostly Spanish, Arab, French, even German, of course, Italian, and even English lately. Sicilian is an amalgam, a mixture of all different things. However, it retains its characteristics and its own language. And it is one of the very few original languages. Sicilian has been spoken in Sicily since the inception of civilization.

When the Siculi came to Sicily, they spoke a language that was similar to Latin. We don't know for sure, but we think that they came from the region of Lazio. And so they spoke a language that was very similar to Latin. That was their original language. Some people believe that it actually survived all the different invasions and the different dominations that have come and gone, some of which left marks on the language and some of which didn't. For example, the Vandals came to Sicily, but not very many words of the Vandals or the Ostrogoths actually remain. 

For the first 150 years of Italian literature, whatever poetry was written in Italy, not just in Sicily, was written in Sicilian. Sicilians created the language in a sense, and then it moved up north after Frederick II, who created the Scuola Siciliana in the 13th century, died. So whenever people say that Sicilian is the corruption of Italian, it is absolutely wrong; Sicilian is its own language. If people say that Dante is the father of the language, which he truly is, then we must think that the mother of the Italian language is Sicily. 

 

Are there variations of the language across Sicily?

There are many variations. If you go to Sicily, when you go from one town to the next, even five miles away, you will notice differences because the language spoken there is part of their history. You have to go back into the history of the town in order to find out why things are different.

When I started working on the Sicilian language, most people, even my colleagues who don't know Sicilian that well, asked me which Sicilian I was going to teach. I said Sicilian is one language. It is not a hundred different languages. Of course, I know that they will speak in a certain way in Catania. In Palermo, the same word will be pronounced differently. In Ragusa, it will also be pronounced differently. For example, I'll give you one word, the word for door, which is porta. In Catania, it will be pronounced so the consonant becomes like two Ts, which sounds like "potta." Or if you say morte, in Catania, they say "motti." However, the same words in Palermo will be pronounced differently. Morte will be pronounced "moitti." 

 

So, it's almost an "oi" sound.

Yes. It introduced a little something, an "i" there, that colors everything. Each parlante of the 10 differences that we see doesn't impede communication. In other words, if there's someone in Palermo who says "moiti" instead of morte, all Sicilians will understand it. Sicilian is pretty homogeneous when you write it. So, if you write Sicilian, you will write it one way. I've never seen the word porta written other than porta. The variations exist, but not in the written language.

 

Is Sicilian more of an oral language than written?

Most people, except poets and scholars, don't write Sicilian because they consider it sort of an oral language. Most people don't even think that Sicilian can be written. Whenever I presented my mother with a page or word from my Arba Sicula journal, she would look at it; she would sort of verbalize it in her mouth. And once she knew what the word was, she said it perfectly. 

A couple of months ago, I was giving a lecture at the Italian Charities, and there was a man who's been a member for many, many years—he's in his seventies. He said, Professor Cipolla, all my life, I have thought that Sicilian could not be written. I learned that Sicilian could be written only when I saw your work.

 

What are some unique phonetic or grammatical features that distinguish Sicilian from standard Italian?

A feature that is probably difficult for Sicilians is the sound of words like the song "Ciuri, Ciuri." We have had difficulty actually coming up with a way of writing that sound. Most people would write it with a cedilla like in Spanish underneath the "C." But other people would just pronounce it with a "C," which is obviously not the right sound because that would be "Churi" and not "Shuri." So even words like shirt, for example, would be camicia, pronounced "camicha" in Italian, but "camisha" in Sicilian.

  

What do you hope that people will take away from your lessons and your writings about the Sicilian language?

My work tries to educate the American public about the values and contributions that the Sicilians have made throughout their long 3000-year history. And it's a job that is never finished because Sicilian culture is a vast microcosm. Sicilians have lived for 3000 years, sometimes independent, sometimes dependent on various different dominators. But Sicilians have always kept their identity. One of the goals of my organization is to not only promote Sicilian culture but to educate people. 

 

>>For more info and Sicilian language resources, visit arbasicula.org.<< 

 

 

 

 

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No matter where you are in Italy, it seems you're never far away from a tabaccheria. The blue and white "T" sign marks the spot for what were once apothecaries that sold tobacco products and salt (yes, salt).

 

My Nonno was the son of a tabaccheria owner, and so, too, is Gaetano Alioto in my first novel. A cousin of mine still runs my great-grandparents' shop in Porticello, Sicily, which I've had the chance to visit. There, beyond a window featuring traditional Sicilian souvenirs, I saw my great-grandfather's photograph between a picture of Jesus on the cross and another of Saint Joseph cradling the Christ Child above a row of lottery tickets and the counter where you could purchase a whole lot more than the tobacco that lined the shelves.

Stores like my family's have one foot rooted in tradition and another stepping forward, with some even embracing smart vending machines. To learn more about Italy's ubiquitous tabaccherie, I reached out to Paula Reynolds, a journalist who has researched and written a definitive guide to tabaccheria culture. 

 

 

Tell me about yourself. What is your connection to Italy?

I, unfortunately, cannot claim any Italian roots; however, I am a die-hard Italophile and unceremoniously have declared myself a citizen of the heart! I first experienced Italy in 2006 as a midlife adult with a dream to see this legendary country. Fast forward to 2024, and I am preparing to pack my bags for my 32nd trip to the Bel Paese. During that span, I have learned enough of the beautiful Italian language to be dangerous, have made beloved friends, and have found my way to being a contributing writer for L'Italo-Americano, a publication based in California that has been sharing Italian culture for over 100 years.

 

What is a tabaccheria?

A tabaccheria, or tabacchi as they are more often referred to in Italy, is a unique sort of "one-stop shop" that is an ingrained part of Italian life from village to metropolis. The name implies the sale of tobacco, which, of course, they do, but there is so much more available over the counter in one of these small shops. Bus tickets, government contracts, loan agreements, postage stamps, tax documents, lottery tickets, pay a traffic fine… and ease the pain with a quick throwback of liquor or espresso. Greeting cards, stationery, pens, lighters, small tools... It's truly a corner market done Italian style, including the free gossip if you hang around long enough.

 

How and when did they first show up in Italy?

Tabaccherie came to be as a means for government control of the "medicinal" plant known as tobacco and was hailed as a curative sometime in the late 1500s. As the product caught on and gained popularity, the government caught on, as well, and decided this was a great way to throw in a few more taxes to pad the coffers. These so-called apothecaries were the only sanctioned venues for selling salt (another highly valuable product) and tobacco by licensed tobacconists. A large white "T" hailed the shop along with the words "Sali e Tabacci." Today's shops have evolved into much more, of course, but the large "T" on a blue background and even the "Sali e Tabacci" are still seen on signs today. Tradition is a serious thing in Italy!

 

The sign today makes for easy finding of a tabacchi and has almost become a comfort when I'm in Italy as an easy spot for snatching a bus ticket or even just asking a question about the neighborhood. I'm often struck by the proprietors of these shops; it seems it might be a qualification that they all look unapproachable and grumpy, but once the ice is broken, they're your new best friend!

 

How have these shops evolved over time?

Of course, salt has lost its status as a coveted means of commerce, and modern tabacchi no longer sell it, but these shops have inevitably evolved into an ingrained part of Italian culture. All the services provided make it much easier for citizens to tend to daily business without having to seek out separate entities or offices. Can you imagine being able to go pay your taxes, grab a birthday card for Zia Maria, stock up on chewing gum, get that bus ticket for tomorrow's shopping, and buy the marriage license you'll need in a few months all in one shop? Quite a concept! Over the years I've traveled to Italy, I've seen some of the evolution, as well, that goes with our fast-paced tech world. Once upon a time, buying that recharge card for my little Italian flip phone was a huge deal, and the tabacchi was the place. I've noticed now that you'd be hard-pressed to find one in most shops, although not unheard of. Which also makes me think even further back to the days when it was a pay phone and a "calling card" with X-number of minutes. And where did one find those? You guessed it: the tabaccheria.

 

What else can you buy at a tabaccheria today?

Along with all of the unusual things such as legal documents, it's also easy to find many of the things we'd find in an American "gas station" – a cooler with cold drinks, candy, snacks, small toys, a few assorted sundries, and even things that a few local nonnas may have knitted as I've seen in village shops. Betting cards of sorts called schedine can also be purchased... quite important during soccer season! Size does matter when we're talking tabacchi as the larger ones often carry a small selection of cosmetics (found nail polish there once), as well as small first aid needs such as Band-Aids, aspirin, last-minute birth control, etc.

 

How do tabaccherie vary from region to region, if at all?

That's a good question! I've traveled throughout most regions of Italy (Sardinia coming up in a few weeks for the first time), and every tabacchi I've been in seems like a cousin to the one before — a little different, yes, but not so much that they feel unfamiliar. To my knowledge, there are no grand differences in what they carry other than local preferences of the owner. I've noted that some are very basic while others seem to be an almost overwhelming hodge-podge of "stuff" to choose from.

 

When I was last in Italy, I noticed tabaccheria vending machines. What about tabacchi culture is lost with such transactions?

Yes, those vending machines are quite common for cigarette purchases… and other goods (wink wink) throughout Italy. This is just a personal observation, and this would be an interesting question to pose to Italian citizens, but I feel that the culture of the tabaccheria is safe. Italians value tradition and connection; without a tabacchi on the corner, a lot would be lost as far as community goes. It might be a few seconds quicker to buy a bus ticket from a machine, but look at all that's lost! None of the latest gossip shared, no candy bar to let the little one indulge in, no chance to slyly show off the new shoes… just so many things that would be lost to the tight communities that make Italy such a special place.

 

Italy even has fresh pizza vending machines that seem like a great idea, but every Italian friend I queried thought it was insane and would never take off or replace the corner pizzeria. Tradition and culture, thank goodness, supersede many things in Italy…part of the reason I love her so!

 

 

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