Last month, the Sicilian hilltop town of Troina, often referred to as one of Italy's most beautiful villages, witnessed a striking convergence of myth, history and contemporary art. The occasion was the sixth edition of the Premio Internazionale di Arti Visive, Cultura e Solidarietà Gino De Agrò, held at the historic Teatro Andrea Camilleri. This year's celebration was not just a showcase of artistic talent - it marked the return of renowned Maltese sculptor Chris Ebejer to a city that has grown to become a pivotal point in his artistic journey.
Having previously received the silver prize in the International Artist category at the same event in 2021, Ebejer's artistic relationship with Troina is steeped in mutual respect and admiration. The city, which once served as the Norman capital of Sicily under Ruggero I in the 11th century, has become a symbolic site for Ebejer's exploration of myth and time. This year he was invited as one of two international guests of honour, sharing the spotlight with Italian artist Domenico de Filippo.
Before a full house of approximately 300 attendees - including notable figures from Italy's artistic and political spheres - Ebejer unveiled his newest sculpture, Terra degli Dei (Land of Gods). Presented with reverence and profound symbolism, the work was not only a feast for the eyes, but a philosophical statement. Its unveiling marked a powerful moment in which contemporary art dialogue extended far beyond its physical form into reflections on memory, decay and cultural endurance.
A fragment torn from time
Terra degli Dei stands as an evocative embodiment of timeless themes. The sculpture portrays a godlike figure emerging through weathered, layered material, a metaphor for ancient ideas breaking through the erosion of centuries. Echoing Sicily's storied past, where deities once mingled with mortals and myth was carved into stone, the piece conjures an eternal tension between the sacred and the profane.
Inspired by classical mythology, Ebejer's work calls forth memories from the Doric temples of Magna Graecia, the sculpted saints of Sicilian chapels, and the masked deities of village rituals. It is not merely a static object, but a dialogue - a visual echo of the island's enduring conversation between civilisation and divinity. Ebejer's art reminds us that while cities crumble and empires fall, myth prevails. Ideas transcend matter, and divinity continues to ripple through time's passage.
Artistic validation and local praise
Art historian and professor Paolo Giansiracusa offered a compelling appraisal of Ebejer's work during the event. Speaking in Italian, he described the Maltese sculptor's creations as monumental both in scale and spirit. Giansiracusa emphasised how Ebejer's artistic voice is firmly rooted in the Mediterranean - a region that has given birth to countless cultures and has served as a wellspring for artistic expression.
According to Giansiracusa, these works are built not only to last but to be felt deeply. They are testaments to an artist whose vision transcends trends, grounded instead in historical awareness and cultural intuition.
Also present was Sebastiano Fabio Venezia, Troina's former mayor and current parliamentarian. Venezia, who has championed the city's cultural renaissance, expressed heartfelt gratitude for Ebejer's contribution. He affirmed that Terra degli Dei will become a permanent part of the city's evolving art landscape, contributing to a curated collection within Troina's soon-to-be-inaugurated contemporary art museum - MACTRO - housed in the former Carmelite convent.
This is not Ebejer's first work to be welcomed into Troina's museum. Back in 2021, his sculpture MYTH was acquired following his silver prize victory, cementing his place within the cultural fabric of this historical city.
Troina: A cradle of conquest and creativity
Situated in Sicily's mountainous heart, Troina holds a strategic and symbolic place in the island's history. During the Norman conquest, its location was crucial - an elevated fortress offering dominion over surrounding lands. Today, it is not only a site of historical intrigue but also ecological beauty, with the municipality owning more than 4,000 hectares of woodland within the Nebrodi Park.
As Troina transitions into a new cultural chapter with MACTRO, it continues to position itself at the crossroads of heritage and modernity. Hosting international artists such as Ebejer reinforces its ambition to become a contemporary beacon while honouring its rich historical roots.
Ebejer's Mediterranean pulse
Ebejer's return to Troina exemplifies the resonance of his artistic philosophy. A sculptor attuned to the pulse of myth and the whispers of history, Ebejer channels the Mediterranean's ancient soul into tangible form. His work invites viewers to look beyond the surface - to feel the tension between crumbling stone and immortal story, between silence and myth reborn.
Through Terra degli Dei, Ebejer doesn't just offer a sculpture; he delivers a timeless message: that while civilizations may vanish, the ideas that shaped them endure. And Troina, nestled between the ruins of conquest and the whispering woods of Nebrodi, continues to be both canvas and muse in that enduring story.