On June 2nd we celebrate the anniversary of the creation of the Italian Republic, it is a national holiday. On this date in 1946 we held a referendum to choose between republic and monarchy. With 12.717.923 votes for and 10.719.284 against Italy become a republic and the reigning Savoy family had to go into exile. Every year, on the morning of June 2nd, a great military parade occur along the via dei Fori Imperiali before the highest authorities of the State. The firemen unroll a huge tricolor flag covering 5 arches of the coliseum. The main attraction is the ‘Frecce Tricolore’ National Aerobatic Team of the Italian Air Force |
The feast of Corpus Domini dates back from the middle ages. It was instituted by Pope Urban IV in 1264 after the famous Miracle of Bolsena. In papal Rome every year on Corpus Domini day a solemn procession was led by the pope from the Sistine chapel along the Borgo neighborhood. The pope holding the sacrament was carried on his chair and followed by cortege of about 3.000 people among cardinals, prelates, clergy, Swiss guards and noblemen. Every year this is the main athletics event in the capital.
This year it will be the 38th event. The greatest world’s athletes compete to win in the Eternal City. It’s held in the Olympic Stadium and The Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure is held in Rome every May. This year the 4-days events will be as usual held in the Circus Maximus, where there are all kinds of things to participate in, leading up to the race. The dates will be: May 17, 18, 19 and the race ending the event will be on Sunday 20th.
The race goes through the historic center of Rome. For moore informations check the site for the race in Rome: http://www.raceroma.it/ The website is in Italian; if you want to learn more about the events or to participate. you can try to translate with translate.google.com If you are in Rome and love tennis, you may already know that every May, the BNL Tennis championships are held at the Olympic Stadium (Foro Italico) in Rome. This year it starts on Monday May 7th 2018, with finals on the following Sunday, May 20 2018. It will be the case of a great world event, the season’s “Fifth Grand Slam”. The Tournament will be a “combined event”, staging both a men’s and women’s matches during 9 days, besides the pre-qualifying draw. This means that you will be able to watch both the world’s best men’s and women’s matches on the same day, plus both doubles, as during a Grand Slam tournament, You may find more details and tickets through their website below: http://www.internazionalibnlditalia.com/en/ On May 1st traditionally named ’Calendimaggio’a great feast occurred in Rome. A main happening was the ‘Cuccagna’ a tree planted in the Capitol square full of delicious foods but covered with a slippery substance. The romans were rivalling to climb the Cuccagna tree and get the prize. It was not easy and it was one of the occasions of rivalry between the bullies. The tradition continued until the middle of the seventeen century. The painting of the Cuccagna tree is by Agostino Tassi (1631-16329 and can be found in the ‘Museo di Roma’
One of the most beautiful and important world’s marathon is held in Rome every year in March or April. It takes place on Sunday. This year, 2018 it will be April 8th.
The race gives the participants the chance to run 42 kilometers surrounded by art, history, archeology and architecture from the past 2000 years. The beginning and the marathon’s end is by the roman forum and coliseum! It’s considered one of the most impressive and fascinating marathon of the world attended by professional athletes and passionate alike. The participants came from Italy and all over the world. The Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Divine Love is our beloved and venerated place of worship since 1740. In the middle of the countryside, there was a much-venerated image of Virgin Mary painted on a medieval tower. A wayfarer on his way to Rome was attacked by a pack of rabid dogs. He saw the Votive image, prayed Virgin Mary and cried for help. Immediately the dogs calmed down and fled into the countryside. The news of the miracle soon spread out and faithful to the sanctuary constantly increased. The Pope Bendict XIV built a sanctuary by the tower where the holy image is preserved. Folk pilgrimages continue today. Easter Monday is a public holiday known as ‘Pasquetta’ Little Easter We say ‘Pasqua di rinascita, Pasquetta di Festa’: Easter is for ribirth, Ester Monday for partying ! In Pasquetta we traditionally relax with friends having a picnic outdoor. In the morning, the Italians pack a grill, simple food or leftover and head out on a trip to the lakes, beach, forest or to one of Rome’s parks. On Easter Sunday the resurrection is celebrated with a Holy Mass and the Benediction ‘Urbi et Orbi’ held by the Pope in Saint Peter square. At home Easter involve a breakfast with boiled eggs, salami and hot chocolate. The Easter lunch includes lamb and fried artichokes, and of course chocolate eggs and the dove-shaped ‘Colomba’ cake. In Italy we say: ‘Natale con I tuoi e Pasqua con chi vuoi’: Christmas with your family, Easter with who you want. Easter day is when we have our amazing and never-ending traditional meals with friends and family alike.
Holy Friday is dedicated to the recollection of Jesus Christ’s death on the cross. The solemn commemoration of the Lord Passion occur at 3.00pm all over the world while in Rome the ceremony takes place at 5.00pm. The Pope held the Mass in St. Peter Basilica at 5.00pm.. Later on Good Friday, at 9.00pm, the Pope goes to the Coliseum where he presides at the Stations of the Cross, a popular Catholic devotion which entails the recollection and re-enactment of Jesus bearing the cross to Calvary This is the day when Christians commemorate the institution of priesthood and of the Eucharist. On Holy Thursday morning the pope together with a thousand of priests celebrates Mass in Saint Peter Basilica. This celebration is known as the ‘Chrism Mass’, since, during it, the oil of chrism used for baptisms and ordinations is blessed. Throughout the world the clergy gather with their bishops and renew the promises they made at their ordination. Traditionally on Holy Thursday evening, the Pope crosses the city to his cathedral, St John in Lateran, for the evening celebration of the Lord’s Supper. The Mass commemorates Christ’s institution of the Eucharist on the night before he died. The holy week is one of the busiest week of the year in Rome. Of course it starts with Palm Sunday and end with Ester Monday known in Italy as ‘Pasquetta’. There is a wonderful range of ceremonies and customs all over the city to prepare for the Christian celebration of Christ rising from the dead at the first Easter. Easter Sunday Mass in St Peter Square, presided by the Pope, is one of the biggest event in the city’s religious calendar. The flower characterizing Easter week is the ‘Violacciocca’ or ‘Viola di Pasqua’ honestly I couldn’t find the English translation but here are the pictures. This flower has an extraordinary and intense smell. You can easily find it in our homes in Easter time. It marks the very beginning of Ester celebrations: everyone attend the morning masses and receive the olive branches that we give everyone we meet during the day. The use of bringing the olive or the blessed palm into our homes has a devotional origin and represent a wish for peace. The great event is the Palm Sunday and Passion of the Lord Papal mass in Saint Peter's Square, at 9:30: At 12:00 the Pope held the Angelus and the blessing ‘Urbi et Orbi ‘from the benediction loggia in Saint Peter façade. Easter week in Rome is very busy. There are many Papal celebrations in the Vatican. Travelers that wish to visit Rome has to remember that the visit of Saint Peter Basilica can be difficult, while the Vatican museums are closed on April 2nd. The liturgical calendar and activities of the Pope in 2018 Easter week : Great activities this morning in Saint Peter square. Gardeners all over, little trucks going in and out the passagway guarded by the swiss Guards. Tomorrow there will be Palm Sunday mass held by Pope Francis in Saint Peter square and therefore the square will be embellished by palms and Olive trees. Getting ready! This is a very popular race as it takes the runners to the beach! In 2018 it will be in his 44th edition and it's earning increasing popularity and international awards too.
It is the most participated half marathon in Italy. It starts around 9.00am, the patecipants run along the Cristoforo Colombo road toward the sea passing through part of the EUR district, along the park of Pineta di Ostia, and ending on Lungomare Lutazio Catulo. http://www.romaostia.it/ |
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