Festival of Antiquity in Plovdiv - Philippopolis
Bulgarian citizens of Nova Roma, led by - A. Vitellius Celsus, together with the Municipality of Plovdiv, organize for the fourth consecutive year a festival dedicated to the ancient past of the city. Scenes from everyday life in antiquity will be recreated – gladiator battles, sacred rituals, celebrations of the 2000 anniversary of the founding of the province of Moesia, living history, Roman cuisine and more. We invite everyone interested in the ancient history of our city to come and become part of it.
This is organized as an international Nova Roman event, and serves as an international convention of the citizens of Nova Roma, with participants of Bulgaria, Hungary, Czech Republic and Estonia, representing Provincia Pannonia, Provincia Sarmatia and the territory of Bulgaria (not yet a province).
Nova Roman participants
- Former aedilis curulis, former praefectus Bulgariae: A. Vitellius Celsus - Bulgaria
- Many un-named Bulgarian citizens of Nova Roma
- Ti. Claudius Drusus - Provincia Sarmatia (Estonia)
- Legatus pro praetore Pannoniae et Venediae, praefectus Italiae, pontifex, sacerdos Concordiae: Cn. Cornelius Lentulus - Provincia Pannonia (Hungary)
- Quaestor: Sp. Porcius Gemma - Provincia Pannonia (Hungary)
- Scriba legati pro praetore Pannoniae; former aedilis curulis: Sex. Lucilius Tutor - Provincia Pannonia (Czech Republic)
24th May (Thursday) – Ancient Theatre: 15:00 – Procession through the ancient sites in Plovdiv 17:00 – Opening of the Festival in the Ancient Theatre 17:30 – Ritual Aspicium (bird auspice) 18:00 – Lustration (cathartic ritual) 18:30 – Entering manhood ritual 19:00 – Pankration – ancient fighting 19:30 – Gladiator battles 20:00 – Ancient rite
25th May (Friday) – Odeon: 16:00 – A brief history of the Roman conquest of Thrace 16:30 – Ritual Aspicium (bird auspice) 16:30 – Lustration (cathartic ritual) 17:00 – Entering manhood ritual 17:30 – Slave market 18:00 – Roman wedding 18:30 – Gladiator battles 19:00 – Ancient fashion 19:30 – Ancient weaponry and demonstrations
26th May (Saturday) – Roman Stadium: 10:00 – Ancient fashion 10:30 – Ancient weaponry and demonstrations 11:00 – Roman wedding 11:30 – Open-air museum 11:30 – Roman cuisine Cast clubs and associations: “Association of ancient and medieval reconstructions – SILA”, Chigot - historical reenactments, "Res Publica Romana - Ukraine", Nova Roma – Hungary, reenactors from Estonia, free and unbound reenactors. The event is organized with the active assistance of the Regional governor of Plovdiv District, Mayor of Plovdiv, Municipal Enterprise for Tourism - Plovdiv
