Seventh year of operation (with many new features) for the artist Luca Cutrufelli’s venue. “We have signed agreements with eco-sustainable and green-oriented companies, and we will enhance the products and history of Sicily.” Soon the launch of a corner shop featuring products under the “Il Giardino” brand. The solidarity bond with Africa, the international outlook, and the event calendar.
It all began in 2014. There was a citrus grove abandoned for three decades, nestled in a courtyard hidden among the walls of the center of Lipari, a precious island of the Aeolian Islands, just minutes by hydrofoil from Messina. Luca Cutrufelli, from Messina, born in 1982, managed to see beauty where others saw only a thicket of weeds in neglect. Thus was born the club “Il Giardino di Lipari,” a thousand-square-meter oasis among houses and buildings. Cutrufelli was able to unite two parts of himself in designing the place: that of a civil engineer with deep knowledge of materials and that of an artist who has held numerous solo exhibitions across Europe, including one in Paris, where he lives in the winter.
“We have created an atmosphere anchored to our Sicilian roots, but with an international flair both in terms of the menu and in the selection of music and art,” explains Cutrufelli. “All around are reused objects paired with design pieces, all connected to the territory, set in a glamorous environment that will be renewed this year. The image of our bistro will move closer to that of a refined restaurant. We will take care of every detail, for example, the table mise en place will be composed of design elements created by the company Madeamano (a Sicilian excellence), the same company that made the counter of our bar, made from lava stone sourced from Etna. But not only that: we are creating a shop, both physical and online, featuring products largely characterized by the flavors of our citrus grove. From distilled spirits to jam, including sauce: everything will be flavored with mandarin.“.
The goal is to keep Il Giardino di Lipari alive throughout the year, not just in summer. To achieve this, a line of products inspired by the garden’s very soul, its 25 mandarin trees, has been created. The first product will be a distilled spirit made especially by the Sicilian company Giovi. Preserves will also be produced, through collaboration with Trimarchi of Villa Marchese. The official uniforms of the venue will also be sold, shirts made by Giocherenda, a social tailoring workshop born in Palermo from the idea of young people who arrived in the city after fleeing war zones like Guinea, Gambia, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Morocco.
Il Giardino di Lipari has also been completely plastic-free for two years now (only glass cups are used, the drink list does not include straws) and is now relaunching. An agreement has been signed with the company Wami from Milan: they bottle water in Northern Italy and donate part of the proceeds to the creation of potable water supply systems for villages currently in Africa, India, and South America; their bottles feature a QR code showing the progress of individual projects. The project with World Rise, a nonprofit focused on marine environment protection, is also ready: artists from Paris will be invited for a photography workshop dedicated to capturing a day of beach cleaning, and the images will then be exhibited at the venue.
In terms of initiatives, during the summer season, Covid permitting, live music sessions, DJ sets, tastings, and meetings will be confirmed. Unless regulations change, the season will open on June first with a major event.
