060608

From 8 December 2008 to 6 January 2009, the Italian capital is the venue for ROMA CITTÀ NATALE. UNA FESTA UNICA AL MONDO  (Rome, the city of Christmas, a celebration like no other in the world), an event mounted by Rome's City Council and Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Vicariate of Rome and the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Activities, with funding from the City's treasury banks (BNL Gruppo BNP Paribas, Unicredit Banca di Roma & Monte dei Paschi di Siena), Acea and Ama (respectively public utility and municipal waste companies).  Co-ordination and organization of the event is by Zètema Progetto Cultura.

For the first time ever, everything that has been programmed to take place in Rome from the beginning of January through to 12th Night in terms of cultural, entertainment, leisure and social events has been organized, co-ordinated and promoted under a single institutional umbrella. It underlines the importance and significance that Christmas holds for the city of Rome and makes it easier for Romans and tourists alike  to make the most of what the Eternal City has to offer at this particularly wonderful time of the year.  ROMA CITTÀ NATALE is therefore the vehicle for all the cultural, entertainment and social initiatives programmed, by both public and private bodies, to take place in Rome over the holidays, in much the same way as  other extensive calendars of  events are put together at other times of the year, including, for example, the summer.

The myriad of initiatives put forward include those that have always been part of the City's Christmas celebrations, as well as others taking place all over Rome, from it's historic centre to the suburbs, that have been organized for the first time ever this year.

ROMA CITTÀ NATALE is also the manifestation of the intense desire to recapture the true essence of Christmas through a series of top quality cultural events aimed at rekindling the traditions of the past.  Between 8 December 2008 and 6 January 2009, the entire city will be enlivened by a frenzy of initiatives: nativity scenes, sacred music performed in churches, whilst the classics, gospel, rock and of course Christmas carols will feature elsewhere, along with a contemporary art exhibition, children's activities, events designed to appeal to youngsters and a mixture of art, music and readings of both prose and poetry being hosted by the City's libraries and cultural centres. 

Amongst the many events taking place, a few to look out for include: the celebrated Spanish soprano, Montserrat Caballé starring in a quite extraordinary Christmas concert on 22 December entitled Happy Christmas from...Rome taking place in the Church of  Santa Maria Madre del Redentore in Tor Bella Monaca.

And on New Year's Eve, Rome will be bidding farewell to this year and welcoming in the next with two live music concerts: Baustelle and Gianna Nannini  will be performing at the  Colosseum whilst no less than two bands - Radici nel Cemento and Giuliano Palma & The Bluebeeters - will be taking to the stage at  the Cinecittà Campus, The Roma Toccata e Fuga event makes a welcome return this year between 8 December and 5 January with a magnificent assortment of theatrical, musical and dance spectacles promoted by Rome City Council's Department for Tourism in collaboration with the Teatro dell’Opera.

Thanks to the concerted efforts of the City's Parks Department, the atmosphere during this Roman Christmas is guaranteed to be even more special, with numerous Christmas trees and other decorations that will not only be adorning the historic centre, but the main squares of the city's suburbs too. The decorated pine trees located in the Pincio, Piazza Venezia and Piazza del Campidoglio deserve a special mention, as does the square at the foot of the Spanish Steps where Christmas stars are bound to create a particularly evocative atmosphere.  15 December marks the beginning of another City Council initiative, overseen by its Departments for Equal Opportunities and Better relations with the Catholic World.  “Il Comune viene da te” (the Council comes to you) is laying on mini-buses to collect clothes, toys and other items from all over the city so that they can be re-distributed over the holiday season, with the assistance of neighbourhood churches, community centres and care homes, to less fortunate members of the community.

The City's Departments for Cultural Policies and Communications on the other hand, have got together with the Departments for Productive Activities and Coastal Commerce and local branches of the National Confederations of Artisans, Shopkeepers and Businessmen, organizing a packed calendar of events featuring street artists, jugglers, Christmas Carollers and the like, who will be bringing their own particular brand of Christmas spirit and magic to Rome's busiest and most popular shopping areas.

They are also offering all those who buy their presents in participating shops before Boxing Day a special coupon that entitles them to enter the City's Civic Museums and Exhibitions at a reduced price between 26 December and 6 January. And...whilst on the subject of museums, those that are state or council run have much to offer over the Christmas period and extended and special evening opening hour make them even more accessible to Romans and tourists alike. As if that were not enough, this amazing holiday programme of  events is made even more attractive to anyone buying a Roma Pass, which for just 20 Euros entitles the holder to enter the first two museums or archaeological sites  in the network free of charge, free use of public transport and reduced entry charges to the network's other museums and sites as well as low-cost tickets for theatrical, dance and  musical performances and other tourist services too. Over the 2008/09 Holiday Season, Rome City Council's Call Center – 060608 – will be offering even more services than usual. 

In addition to information and the opportunity to buy  tickets for museums, theatres and events, it is now also possible to book hotels by telephoning that same number or going on-line to www.060608.it