CISU SICILIA

Magazine Overview

Title: CISU SICILIA
Issue: Numero 1
Date: Dicembre 1995
Publisher: Coordinamento Regionale CISU Sicilia
Type: Periodic Bulletin

This is the inaugural issue of CISU Sicilia, a periodic bulletin from the Regional Coordination for Sicily of the Italian Center for Ufological Studies (CISU). It is distributed to members, collaborators, sympathizers, and subscribers of the UFO information magazine. The bulletin aims to foster aggregation among those in the region interested in the UFO phenomenon.

Editorial Message

The editorial message, signed by Antonio Blanco, Regional Coordinator of CISU Sicilia, expresses gratitude to members, collaborators, and journalists. It highlights 1995 as an important year for the growth of CISU and its Sicilian branch, culminating in the launch of this bulletin. The bulletin is intended to be a platform for further engagement within the region. The message concludes with Christmas and New Year wishes for 1996.

Contact Information

The regional headquarters' contact details are provided: Coordinamento Regionale CISU Sicilia, via Firenze n. 109, 95020 - CANNIZZARO (CT), with a telephone number 095. 497602.

Key Activities and Events in 1995

The UFO Exhibition in Catania

The issue details the realization of a long-held project: bringing a photographic exhibition on the UFO phenomenon to Sicily. Held from January 21st to 28th, the exhibition, titled "Il Fenomeno UFO," was hosted at "Libri & Libri" in Catania. It featured approximately one hundred photos and a video section showcasing footage from "Project Blue Book" and more recent international sources. The event was a success, attracting over a thousand visitors and receiving significant media coverage from local and national newspapers, radio, and TV, including RAIDUE. It is described as one of CISU's most successful outreach events in recent years.

UFO Sightings and Investigations

The exhibition's media attention spurred numerous UFO sighting reports from the public. CISU Sicilia engaged in investigations throughout the year. Notable cases include:

• January 26th: A young woman in Catania reportedly photographed a UFO above Villa Bellini, near the exhibition venue. The photo was published on the front page of the newspaper "La Sicilia," but further clarification was hindered by the lack of additional witnesses or direct contact with the photographer.
• January 1st: The first UFO sighting of 1995 was a light observed in Messina on New Year's Eve.
• January 5th: A multicoloured luminous object was observed hovering over the sea in Letojanni (ME) for about two hours.
• January 15th-16th: In Palermo, several people reported seeing a large rotating disk descend from the sky. Upon investigation, it was determined to be a 40-ton fiberglass cover from a water treatment plant, dislodged by a whirlwind.
• January 24th: In Partinico, an teacher observed clusters of white lights appearing and disappearing in the sky, coinciding with a widespread blackout across Sicily. While no direct connection is proven, the concomitance of such events is noted.
• February 18th: In Gela (CL), observers reported a green object with a bright trail that descended and then ascended rapidly, raising questions about its meteorological nature.
• Early March: Fishermen in Marzamemi (SR) observed a bright red-dark incandescent mass with a long fiery trail at sea.
• August 20th: Multiple sightings of a round, luminescent white object were reported across various locations in Sicily (San Giuseppe Jato, Caltabellotta, San Leone, San Cataldo, Nicolosi, Siracusa). Investigations concluded that these sightings were caused by the transit of a stratospheric balloon launched by the Italian Space Agency from Milo (TP) as part of a project for the recovery of a space capsule. Amateur films of the event were acquired.

Organizational Growth and Media Presence

Following the exhibition's success, CISU Sicilia experienced a significant influx of new members, with Catania registering the largest group (12 members). Growth was also noted in the provinces of Palermo, Agrigento, Trapani, Siracusa, and Caltanissetta. Nationally, CISU recorded a record 379 new members in 1995, with 23 joining in Sicily. The organization also maintained its media presence, contributing to the regional quarterly "Sotto il Vulcano" with the column "Appunti di Ufologia." They initiated a series of public meetings with "Sotto il Vulcano" readers, the first of which on December 17th discussed the Roswell-Santilli case.

CISU Sicilia also received attention from regional media outlets, including the weekly "Prospettive," which dedicated its front page and a dossier to the UFO issue on November 26th, and the television talk show "Buonasera."

Future Programs for 1996

Buoyed by the year's successes and the enthusiasm of new members, CISU Sicilia has outlined several programs for 1996:

• Conferences for Students: A cycle of meetings (preferred term over 'conferences') is planned for high school students in the province of Catania. Initial contacts with professors and principals have been made, with positive indications for future collaboration. The organization expresses a desire to replicate this initiative in other Sicilian provinces.
• Study Projects: The bulletin highlights the ongoing "Progetti di Studio" undertaken by CISU members. These include:
• Progetto 1978: A historical and statistical study of the famous UFO "wave" that occurred in Italy in 1978.
• Progetto Italia 3: Cataloging all close encounter cases of the third kind reported in Italy.
• Progetto Origini: A project focused on collecting UFO-related news that appeared in the national press between 1946 and 1954, the period when UFOs first gained significant public attention.

"Progetto Origini" is described as primarily historiographical, aiming to understand the mechanisms by which the UFO phenomenon entered Italy and the role of the press in disseminating and potentially distorting information. The Ragusa provincial branch is actively involved in "Progetto Origini," managing the electronic archiving of collected journalistic material, which already comprises over a thousand articles from 1946-54. Readers are encouraged to contribute by checking local newspapers from that period.

Provincial Office in Ragusa

Details for the CISU Ragusa provincial office are provided: c/o Giuseppe Verdi, Via Bologna 4, 97019 VITTORIA (RG), Tel. 0932-983664.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue strongly emphasizes CISU Sicilia's commitment to scientific investigation and public outreach regarding the UFO phenomenon. The organization positions itself as a serious research entity, distinguishing itself from sensationalism and superstition, as noted by Dr. Luigi Prestinenza. The bulletin highlights the importance of media coverage in raising awareness and stimulating public interest, while also detailing the rigorous investigative work undertaken by the organization. The focus on historical projects and cataloging suggests a methodical approach to understanding the phenomenon. The editorial stance is one of proactive engagement, seeking collaboration with the public and educational institutions to further ufological research in Sicily.