Rome, 20th April 2011 - The city of Rome is planning a lot of events, meetings and conferences to celebrate its 2764' Christmas ( the celebration of its birth in 753 BC ). Celebrations started last Friday and will conclude on Thursday, April 21, the date of commemoration of the birth. Gruppo Storico Romano, which has nine years experience in organizing this event, started its show on Saturday 16th , after the conference "The foundation of Rome - A journey through myth and reality". They organized lighting braziers and ancient dances in front of the statue of Rome Goddess in Campidoglio's square and they also made, as usual, an historical parade to celebrate Christmas of Rome, which took place on Sunday 17. Such an event caused a lot of problems like a big traffic jam with a very funny major, Alemanno, trying to act like a traffic officer at Circo Massimo.
The Mayor, who had just left the events at the Aventino in scooter to reach the celebration at Fori Imperiali and put a laurel on the statue of Julius Cesar, was stuck at Circo Massimo due to the historical parade and street market Coldiretti carrying out at the same time. Also attended the event the Councillor for Cultural Policies Dino Gasperini and the Chairman of the Cultural Committee Federico Mollicone. There were one thousand and seven hundred people from many different countries of the ancient Roman Empire (Romania, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Slovenia, France, Germany). Those people dressed up like ancient Romans to attend the event and followed the historical parade till Fori Imperiali.
April 21st schedule is full:
9 a.m. ceremony of the Laurel at Altare della Patria, Venezia's Square,
10 a.m. ceremony of Rome Christmas in Campidoglio's square,
10.30 a.m. representation of the historical birth of Rome "Tracciato del Solco" by Gruppo Storico Romano,
2 p.m. ceremony for the Rome Christmas Trophy Propaganda F.I.N Award in Carroccio Room Campidoglio,
4 p.m. Capitoline Museum hosts in Room Pietro da Cortona the Orazio Vecchi Chorus in concert, for the anniversary of the Italian Republic,
6 p.m. revoking of the historical foundation holiday "Palilia" at Vesta Temple (opposite to "the Mouth of Truth"),
9 p.m. "Rome / Love: The Rise and Resurrection of the Eternal City " at Forum of Augustus , by Alpha & Omega Association.
On Thursday the City of Rome also provide free guided tours of the Capitoline Museums, Ara Pacis Museum and the Museum of Roman Civilization. All the details and schedules are available at:
http://www.060608.it/it/eventi-e-spettacoli/manifestazioni/2764-natale-di-roma.html
Manuela Pirrone
