Words by Pat Eggleton
Here’s our pick of the July events that you can still catch if you are going to Rome and of some events in early August, too.
Cosmophonies
until 28th July
This is an international festival of theatre, dance, music and circus taking place in the Teatro Romano di Ostia Antica. As its name suggests, the festival is inspired by the universe and, by staging it in this historic setting, the organisers hope to create a encourage a coming together of history, art and the public.
Website.
Rock in Roma
Rome, until 30th July
This rock festival at the Ippodromo delle Capanelle [Capannelle Racetrack, 30 minutes by car from the city centre and reachable by public transport] will feature international stars such as Skunk Anansie, Afterhours , The Cult, Gary Moore and Shaggy.
Official ticket vendors are listed on the website, together with details of how to get to the racetrack.
The Miracle of the Snow
Rome, 5th August
If you are going to be in Rome on 5th August, you have a chance to witness a beautiful event: in August 352 or 358 AD Pope Liberius dreamed that the Virgin Mary told him to build a church where snow fell in Rome. A Roman noble called Giovanni Patrizio also had the same dream. The two were amazed when they found snow on the Esquilino hill the next morning and there the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore was built, financed by Giovanni Patrizio. Each year on 5th August a Mass is held in memory of the occasion and the snow is recreated with flower petals which fall from one of the domes of the Church - Watch a video about this event.
The Miracle Players
Roman Forum - on Fridays at 19.30 until 6th August
The English-speaking Miracle Players perform humorous re-enactments of the history of Rome each year at the Forum. In this, their twelfth year, they will perform “The History of Rome – Part 1” – all in forty minutes! The Players have an enthusiastic following among the English-speaking theatre-going public in Rome and enjoy the support of the Ministry of Culture and The Comune di Roma. If you are going to be in Rome before 6th August, why not go along to the Forum and have some fun? This event is free.
Roma incontra il mondo - Rome Meets the World
until 7th August
This is a multi-ethnic festival of music and other events taking place at the Villa Ada. The exciting atmosphere is created by the music, the delicious aromas of Arabic, Indian and, of course, Italian food and most of all by the enthusiastic mix of people who turn the Villa Ada into an “international village”. There is also craftwork on display from the various countries taking part. The Villa Ada is open to the public from 20.00 and concerts begin at 22.00. Visit the website
Feast of San Lorenzo
10th August
This feast is celebrated throughout Italy and the night of 10th August is when Italians traditionally gather on beaches to look for shooting stars. In Rome, celebrations take place outside the Church of San Lorenzo fuori le Mura, which was built over the saint’s tomb in the fourth century. Saint Lawrence was martyred on the site during the persecutions of Valerian in 258 AD.
