17 years after its debut in Italy, the Pride Parade returns in Rome. Formerly known as Gay Pride, now Euro Pride, this colorful event is a fest to celebrate every kind of sexuality. Every year people from all over Italy and Europe gather in the capital to defend that there’s no difference in being straight, gay or lesbian. No wonder then if many heterosexual people join the parade.
This year, more than 2 million people are expected. The reason for such a big crowd is the special guest that’s been revealed just last week: Lady Gaga! The popstar will honor her Italian heritage together with her extravagant dress code leading the parade with a free concert at Circo Massimo. Gaga wrote her name on a list of artists whom took part in the event during the past years, from Gloria Gaynor to legendary Village People. A gay parade right by Saint Peter’s church may sound a bit awkward but so far it has always perfectly worked. This is great example of coexistence, don’t you think? See you on Saturday to sing all together Lady Gaga’s hits!
If you were in Rome yesterday, you would’ve seen the city invaded by a joyful army. Thousands of tourists gathered in the center, together with the Italian President and many governmental men, to see the parade celebrating the Republic Fest.
You may be a bit confused with all these celebrations, so let’s do a recap: April 21st the city of Rome turned 2,764. On March 17th, Italy celebrated its 150th birthday as a Nation. On June 2nd we commemorated the Italian republic, born 65 years ago, right after the World War II as a new government replacing fascism dictatorship and the previous monarchy.
There’s no better place for such a celebration like the Fori Imperiali, the road uniting the Colosseum and the Altare della Patria (the Altar of Nation). Eveyone was staring at the parade, the army itself was a symbol of Italy as dozens of traditional local police corps are now part of the national army. And as for icing on the cake, the final show of every Republic Fest: the Frecce Tricolori (Tricolor Arrows)
The aerobatic jets pierced the sky, painting it as the Italian flag. So everyone wowing with their heads held up witnessed the most colorful sky Rome has ever had.
Please note that for the first time, the Colosseo opened its underground and parts of the third tier to the public. The underground is popular amongst kids for its stories of the gladiators and animals that were kept at the underground before the shows. Walks Inside Rome Team can include a visit to these parts of the Colosseo for an additional 50€ per group for the required reservation access.
