"ave, emona!"
The forthcoming weekend of 22 and 24 August marks the highlight of the celebration of the 2000th anniversary of Emona with the event titled "Ave, Emona!" and Ljubljana coming to life in Roman spirit.
The Congress Square and the Zvezda Park will come to life as a Roman camp just as 2000 years ago with entertainers and shows to take its visitors to a time of a Roman colony of Emona where now stands the centre of the city.
A Roman camp will be situated at the Congress Square, and a Roman marketplace will take place at the Zvezda Park from Friday to Sunday. Members of numerous historical societies will have an opportunity to present their activity with a demonstration of Roman customs and rituals, which will attract visitors of all generations.
Visitors will have an opportunity to experience life from 2000 years ago, get acquainted with Roman military equipment and military skills. Roman legionnaires will daily demonstrate battle formations and abilities, while the generals will contemplate on battle strategy. The Roman market will feature various craftsmen with old Roman trades – hand weaving, olive oil manufacture, pottery, dressmaking, carving, mosaic making, amber products, herbalism, horseshoe and leather products, and also tasting of Roman dishes. Visitors will be able to attend creative workshops of manufacturing Roman military equipment and jewellery, and the Emona styled lesson in open space organised by the Emona Master will present the learning process from 2000 years ago.
The main setting will feature the following staging for three days: slave market, vestal virgin's dance, Roman military manoeuvres, antic theatre comedy shows, the city establishment ritual, a Roman wedding and gladiator combat. Each day a Roman procession will cross Ljubljana and its centre, its route will go through the Breg path – the Čevljarski Bridge – the City Square – the Prešern Square – the Congress Square. The Zvezda Park will also host the Roman contemporaries, the Celts.
The event opening will take place on Friday, 22 August at 7.45 p.m. with Mayor Zoran Janković donating the games to the city and addressing the visitors.