“The candidate city of Agrigento for the 2025 Capital of Culture is today the capital of hospitality and inclusion and raises its call for peace, and I, as spokesperson and sure to interpret the feelings of all of us, make an appeal for war to end today Suffering may our Europe and all wars in the world soon find a peaceful solution. May peace no longer be an attainable goal, but a daily reality for all the peoples of the world. May the basis of coexistence be respect for all cultures and welcome the diversity and uniqueness they express.”
These were the words of the Mayor of Agrigento, Francesco Miccichè, pronounced in the message of welcome to the folklore groups, anticipating the traditional torchlight vigil of friendship of the almond tree in blossom. A long line of people from Via Atena applauded the dancers from all continents. For security reasons, the torches were lit from the Porta di Ponte, where there were also some altercations between spectators, but these were promptly put down by the police.