Francesco Paolo Perez Bust

Who was the man immortalized in bronze before you? Meet Francesco Paolo Perez, a prominent figure in 19th-century Palermo. The Francesco Paolo Perez Bust stands as a testament to his multifaceted life as a writer, politician, and passionate advocate for Sicilian autonomy. Perez was born in Palermo in 1812. His mother instilled in him a love for literature, which shaped his early career. He wrote a poem, “Carme in memoria di Ugo Foscolo,” in 1833, which became a symbol of Italian unification. Perez’s political views evolved from Sicilian autonomism to supporting a unified Italy. He was strongly against the repressive Bourbon rule in Sicily. This led him to open a private literature school in Palermo, attracting liberal intellectuals. He also contributed to newspapers, further fueling his political voice. In 1848, Perez was elected to the Sicilian Parliament and voted for the removal of the Bourbon dynasty and Sicilian independence. He was part of the commission to offer the Sicilian crown to the Duke of Genoa. After the revolution failed, Perez went into exile in Florence, working for the Grand Duchy’s railways. He returned to Sicily in 1860 after Garibaldi’s expedition, advocating for Sicilian autonomy within a unified Italy. He served as Procurator General of the Court of Auditors in Palermo. He was elected as a deputy twice but declared ineligible due to his administrative roles. Perez became mayor of Palermo in 1876. He contributed to the city’s modernization, including the completion of the Teatro Massimo. He also served as Minister of Public Works and Minister of Public Education. Later in life, Perez became president of the Sicilian Society for Homeland History. He retired to his villa in Santa Flavia, near Palermo, where he passed away in 1892. The bust in front of you, a work by sculptor Francesco Sorgi, commemorates this remarkable Palermitan.