Pompa Romana, Floralia and Aquincum Forever

By: Dora Gyarmathy, Hungarian Radio

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1900 years ago, in 106 Aquincum became the centre of the province, Pannonia. This status was donated by Emperor Traianus. From this time Aquincum has been the military and administrative centre of Pannonia Inferior, one of the most important northern border areas of the Empire, for hundreds of years. For this anniversary the Aquincum Museum, the Municipality of Budapest and the Local Government of Óbuda-Békásmegyer organize the “Aquincum Festival” with several events.

Aquincum is located in the northern side of Buda, near to the Danube. The first traces of the old settlement are dated from the 1st and 2nd century. In the beginning the structure of the settlement was like a village, later, from the 2nd century the buildings of Aquincum Civil Town were made from stone and the structure of the settlement was planned consciously. In the end of the 2nd century and beginning of the 3rd century the town reached its biggest extension, the number of the inhabitants is estimated 10.000-12.000. Hundred years later this number started to decrease and for the 5th century the buildings of the town weren’t used. The first ruins of the old Roman settlement was found by a wine-grower while he was digging a pitfall. The first exhibition was opened in 1889. The monuments visible today reflect the results of restoration work carried out between the early 1960's and the beginning of the 1970's.The visible ruins of the Aquincum Civil Town represent the excavated one third of the central settlement.

Developments are still in progress in the Aquincum Museum and from Spring to Autumn colorful and interesting events are organized not only in the area of the museum but in the whole territory of Aquincum Civil Town. The first big event in 2006 is the “Pompa Romana”, a procession in costumes on 6-7 May. The audience will visit the Roman monuments of Aquincum, among them the old amphitheatre of the civil town where gladiators will fight with each other. The end of the programme will take place in the Aquincum Museum where archeologists will guide the visitors and craftsmen show the handicraft workshops of the old Roman town.

The next event is the “Floralia”, the fest of the Spring on 20-21 May. For this day beautiful flower decoration is made by the students of a secondary school. The visitors can get to know more about life style and handicrafts of the Roman ages, they can make jewels, try the weapons of the Roman legions and participate in different games, see Roman and Celtic military scenes and gladiator fights. Actors evoke the everyday life of the Roman Empire. Phaedrus’s animal fables are presented by the actors of Miskolc National Theatre.

The last big event of May is the competition for poets on 27 May. This programme is organized for the 9th occasion in the Aquincum Museum, this year the motto of the competition is “Pre Saecula Saeculorum – Aquincum Forever”. The best poems are recited by famous Hungarian actors.

More info about Aquincum: www.aquincum.hu (also in English)