Rome: Birth Of Rome, From 5th To 21st Of April 2009

For seven years Romans have celebrated the birthday of their city with a big feast which features parades, historical re-enactments, exhibitions, a contest for schools and even the election of Goddess Rome. The event, which makes the tourists who stay in the best hotels in Rome go back to the times of the Roman Empire, is organised by the Historical Roman Group, an association created in 1994 by some people having in common a big love for the eternal city, and which organises many events, like theatre and dance performances and even a gladiator school. However, The Birth of Rome is probably the most important event realised by the group, and every year it involves, besides the above-mentioned association, a number of historical groups coming from Italy and from other countries.

Although the date of the birth of the city is the 21st of April, celebrations begin few weeks before, more precisely on the 5th pf April, with the exhibition of the works realised for the competition 21st April 753 B.C.: Rome was born, which involves kids of primary and high school. Kids are asked to realise a work having as a main theme a person, an episode or an object belonging to the period between Rome foundation (753 B.C.) and the fall of Western Roman Empire (476 A.D.). The conclusion of another competition, the Goddess Rome 2009 contest, will take place on the 15th of April, with the prize-giving of the girl who will better represent Goddess Rome, a very important figure for Roman people. The girl, who will be selected among a number of candidates coming from Italy and from other countries which used to be under Rome rule, will have the honour to be at the head of the big parade that will take place on the citys streets on the 19th of April.

However, celebrations will get to the heart on the 18th of April, with the ceremony of the opening of Porta Appia (now called Porta San Sebastiano), which will be followed by other important ceremonies: Ludus gladiators (the re-enactment of the man against man fights which thrilled Romans in the past), the wedding ceremony at Marcello theatre, and the Vestals ceremony (the Vestal Virgins were the priestesses consecrated to the Goddess Vesta, and they are connected to the myth of Rome because Rea Silvia, Romulus and Remus mother, was a vestal).

However, the most awaited event, which persuades many tourists to plan a low cost trip to Rome, is certainly the big historical parade, which will take place on the 19th of April involving many historical groups (around 1000 people) coming from all over the world. The parade, starting from Circus Maximus, will pass along some of Romes icons, like Fori Imperiali and the Colosseum, and will bring back to life figures and images of the Roman Empire. After the parade, stay some days more in your cheap bed and breakfast in Rome: on the 21st of April Circus Maximus will host the re-enactment of Romes foundation with the ceremony of the Tracing of the Furrow, the action made by Romulus to trace the perimeter of the city.

Tickets: free event
Date: 5 21 April 2009
Location: Rome, Italy