Beyond the well-told tales of Arab-Norman influence lies another Palermo — one where the dialogue between past and present plays out in puppet theatres, tiled staircases, and palaces.

What if the soul of Palermo lies not just in its cathedrals or cannoli, but in the traces of an Arab past that still breathe into the city’s pulse?

Stepping into the Cappella Palatina, I was met by geometry, gold, and God — where Norman ambition, Byzantine splendour, and Islamic artistry mingle under one roof.

Trapani’s coral heritage is a centuries-old tradition, where these marine treasures inspire the creation of exquisite jewels and sacred objects — expressions of both nature’s wonder and the soul of the city’s cultural identity.

Eternal Letters is an intimate world where sacred words meet artistry — where ink, colour, and paper become storytellers, whispering tales of one of the finest traditions of the Islamic world.

This year, the Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah returns for its second edition, inviting us on a pilgrimage through faith’s many expressions — traversing time, space, and all that is in between.

At the inaugural edition of Art Week Riyadh, I find myself surrounded by works from both established artists and emerging talents across Saudi Arabia and the greater MENA region — each contributing to a collective endeavour to redefine and shape their identities.

Tucked away on the outskirts of Palermo, Palazzina Cinese brings Chinoiserie to life, offering a glimpse into the Sicilian fascination with the Far East.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Nepalese Himalayas, Shambhala follows Pema, a pregnant woman on her journey — not just to find her missing husband, but to seek inner peace.

Mazara del Vallo may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of Sicily’s Arab-Norman past, but it’s a city where history still lingers in the air, waiting to be uncovered.