The Association for the Conservation of Popular Traditions – ETS, founded in 1965 in Palermo by Antonio Pasqualino, is a non-profit organization committed to the preservation and promotion of Sicilian folk traditions, with a particular focus on puppet theater and intangible cultural heritage. Its headquarters are located at Piazzetta Antonio Pasqualino 5, in the heart of the city.
Among its main activities is the foundation and management of the Antonio Pasqualino International Puppet Museum, established in 1975. The museum houses a collection of thousands of pieces, including marionettes, puppets, puppets, shadow puppets, automatons, and stage machinery from around the world, and also includes a library and an audiovisual collection dedicated to puppet theater. It is recognized for its work in the study, preservation, and promotion of an extraordinary cultural heritage.
The association played a crucial role in supporting the recognition of the "Sicilian Puppet Theater" as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO. Furthermore, it has been accredited as a consultative non-governmental organization with the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee, in recognition of its research and conservation expertise.
The association promotes a variety of initiatives: exhibitions, festivals, publications, conferences, workshops, events, and educational activities for schools and universities. In particular, it has created the Morgana Festival, dedicated to puppet theater, which brings together artists from around the world and complements the events with exhibitions, seminars, and educational workshops. Through these initiatives, the Association balances the preservation of the past with contemporary research, keeping alive a performing and cultural tradition of great value to Sicilian identity.
Contact the representatives for more information or to express your interest.
