CISU SICILIA

Magazine Overview

Title: CISU SICILIA

Issue: Number 3

Date: January 1997

Publisher: Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici (CISU), Regional Coordination for Sicily

Description: This issue of CISU Sicilia, a periodic bulletin, aims to foster greater collaboration and discussion among ufology enthusiasts in Sicily. It expands its content to include articles written by readers and aims to become a space for open dialogue on UFO-related topics. The bulletin also features improved graphics, including new photographs and updated editing.

Articles and Content

Editorial: A New Phase for CISU Sicilia

The editorial, penned by Antonio Blanco, the Regional Coordinator for CISU Sicily, announces a new direction for the bulletin. It will now feature articles contributed by readers, aiming to transform from a simple informative circular into a platform for open discussion and in-depth exploration of ufological themes. The editorial expresses gratitude for the support and collaboration offered by members and encourages active participation from all readers. It also highlights efforts to improve the publication's visual presentation with new photographs and updated editing.

UFO News Sicily

This section provides a summary of UFO-related events in Sicily during the second half of 1996. It debunks a reported UFO crash near San Leone (Agrigento) as fireworks from a local festival. A more intriguing report details a mysterious white, cigar-shaped object filmed by tourists in Meteora, Greece, which is currently undergoing expert analysis. The section also mentions the completion of investigations into cases from 1995, including a photographed object in Catania that is suspected to be a fake, and the report on the 1995 'Sicilian flap' related to a stratospheric balloon.

UFO and Ghosts

Authored by Salvatore Foresta, this article investigates a potential correlation between UFO sightings and the phenomenon of ghostly apparitions. It cites several cases where witnesses reported experiences similar to both UFO encounters and ghost sightings, such as sudden temperature drops, levitation, passing through solid objects, poltergeist activity, and unusual luminescence. Three specific cases are detailed: one in Verona, Italy (1962) involving a mysterious entity; the Reeves family in Oregon, USA (1966) who experienced strange lights and entities; and an encounter in Nyabara, Zimbabwe, with luminous beings. The author concludes that while similarities exist, UFOs and ghosts remain distinct phenomena, with the mystery surrounding both being their primary commonality.

Why Aren't Classic Flying Saucer Formations Seen Anymore?

This provocative article by Antonio Blanco questions the apparent shift in UFO sightings. He notes that while UFO phenomena have always evolved, the once-common sightings of large, organized formations of 'flying saucers' (like those reported in the 1950s) have become extremely rare. The article presents a series of historical examples from the 1950s and early 1960s, detailing numerous sightings of multiple UFOs flying in formation, often described as disks, saucers, or strange geometric shapes. These include:

• The Kenneth Arnold sighting (1947) with nine 'flying saucers' in a V-formation.
• A sighting near Rapid City, South Dakota (1947) of 12 elliptical objects in a diamond formation.
• Multiple UFOs observed in formations near Twin Falls, Idaho (1947).
• A large number of flying disks observed over Farmington, New Mexico (1950).
• Hundreds of luminous spheres observed over Lubbock, Texas (1951).
• Four disk-shaped objects seen near George Air Force Base, California (1952).
• Approximately 1200 circular objects photographed over Tremonton, Utah (1952).
• Numerous UFOs observed over Washington D.C. (1952) that evaded military interception.
• Four meteorologists observing disks over Walker Air Force Base, New Mexico (1952).
• About 15 pairs of flying disks observed over Otoron, France (1952).
• A procession of flying objects observed over Gaillac, France (1952), accompanied by a white substance.
• About 20 'mysterious aerial machines' of various shapes observed over Gela, Italy (1954).
• A dozen flying disks observed over Mexico City (1957).
• A family reporting 10-12 objects maneuvering under clouds (1936/1937).

Blanco contrasts this with the current scarcity of such reports. He discusses potential explanations, including the possibility that these historical reports are distorted or fabricated, or that the phenomenon has genuinely shifted. He argues against simply dismissing these cases as misinterpretations of conventional aircraft or natural phenomena, given the consistency and unusual characteristics reported. The article concludes by posing the question of why witnesses no longer report these large formations, suggesting that perhaps the phenomenon itself has changed or that witnesses are self-censoring.

Other Content

• A Sicilian in the New CD: The issue notes the appointment of Giuseppe Verdi, a Sicilian ufologist, to the new National Board of Directors of CISU.
• FBI Dossier UFO: The Real X-Files: An advertisement for a book by Paolo Toselli.
• Campaign for Memberships 1997: Information on how to join CISU, with membership tiers and payment details.
• Who We Are, Where We Are: A directory of CISU members and collaborators in Sicily, updated as of December 31, 1996, including contact information.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The bulletin consistently promotes the investigation and open discussion of UFO phenomena. There is a clear editorial stance favoring the exploration of unusual cases and encouraging reader participation. The magazine appears to be a platform for disseminating research, debunking hoaxes, and exploring the historical context of ufology, particularly within Sicily. The recurring theme of questioning the evolution of UFO sightings and the potential connection between UFOs and other unexplained phenomena (like ghosts) highlights the publication's commitment to exploring the more mysterious aspects of the subject. The emphasis on reader contributions and collaboration suggests a community-focused approach to ufological research.