"The organizer was a prominent Italian physicist, Antonio Zichichi, who was the subject of many legends, often involving his connections at the highest and lowest levels of Italian society. One story that made the rounds about Zichichi (I cannot recall who first told me this and have no idea whether it is true) was that one year, a physicist who was to lecture there had the misfortune of having his luggage stolen from him during the train trip to Erice. When he got there, he told Zichichi about the problem, remarking that it would be hard for him to give his lectures, since his lecture notes had been in his bags. Zichichi told him not to worry, that he was sure everything would be all right. The next morning he awoke to find that his luggage was waiting for him outside the door to his room."