Giuseppe Pitrè

Giuseppe Pitrè (1841-1916) was an Italian folklorist and physician, renowned for his work in preserving and studying Sicilian folklore, traditions, and popular culture. He collected stories, songs, and customs, emphasizing the importance of oral history in understanding a community's identity. Pitrè founded the Sicilian Ethnological Institute and published significant works, including "Fiabe e Racconti Popolari Siciliani" (Fairy Tales and Popular Stories from Sicily), which helped document the region’s cultural heritage. His contributions paved the way for future studies in anthropology and folklore, highlighting how cultural expressions shape and reflect societal values.