Casteltermini hosts a cultural evening with Beniamino Biondi for "Author's August."

Last night, in the evocative setting of Casteltermini, the audience enthusiastically participated in a new installment of the Agosto d'Autore literary festival. The evening's protagonist was Beniamino Biondi (Agrigento, 1977), writer, poet, and critic, author of numerous volumes of fiction and nonfiction, with reference texts on Japanese cinema and studies on popular mythology, folklore, and traditional cultures. A full professor of historical disciplines at the Faculty of Linguistic and Cultural Mediation in Agrigento, he directs the Fabbriche Chiaramontane, a prestigious art gallery and workshop on contemporary art.

The guest was introduced by Councilor for Culture Carmelo Sciarrabone , who emphasized the deep bond of respect and affection that unites Biondi to the Casteltermini community. The meeting was moderated by Michele Rondelli and Marco Vancardo , who successfully conducted the discussion with expertise, curiosity, and the complicity of those who share a passion for reading and discovery.

Biondi presented his book Nell'isola che non c'è – Guida ai borghi fantasma di Sicilia (Il Palindromo), a journey into an unknown Sicily, through the secret landscapes of the hinterland, along remote paths and abandoned rural villages. These places, often born during the Fascist era or as a result of the Agrarian Reform, today lie like "stone exiles," adorned with metaphysical architecture and portraits of an unfinished modernity. The author explores their memory province by province, composing an itinerary that links well-known toponyms like Ficuzza and Schisina to little-known but equally fascinating sites. The journey is enriched with postcards and photographs from both the past and present, allowing the reader to compare past and present, accompanying them in the discovery of this "island that isn't there."

The evening concluded with a lengthy book signing, a sign of great interest in a work that combines historical research, narrative sensitivity, and a love for Sicily's forgotten places. Once again, Agosto d'Autore confirmed its ability to offer memorable encounters.

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