Holiday Greetings from the MAR of Ventimiglia: Appointment on Saturday, December 14, 2024

On Saturday, December 14, at 4:00 PM, the traditional event returns to the MAR Civic Museum “Girolamo Rossi” in Ventimiglia, located in the prestigious setting of the Annunziata Fortress, for the exchange of holiday greetings with the citizens, the museum’s Friends, and the members of the International Institute for Ligurian Studies.

On this occasion, Luca Storino and Federico Lambiti, young archaeologists and researchers at the Institute, respectively working at the “Girolamo Rossi” Museum in Ventimiglia and at the Civic Museum of Lucus Bormani in Diano Marina, will give an interesting lecture titled: “From Saturnalia to Christmas,” focusing on the Christmas tradition and its ancient origins dating back to Roman times.

During the conference, the two speakers will present the long and multifaceted history of the Roman festival of Saturnalia, the days dedicated to Saturn, the god of harvest, which took place from December 17 to 23, and the celebrations of December 25 for Sol Invictus, dedicated to the god Mithras.

After the institutional greetings from the Municipal Administration of the City of Ventimiglia, the event will be introduced by Dr. Daniela Gandolfi, Curator of MAR. The event will also be an opportunity to thank those who have supported the Museum and the Institute, to present the young generations active within the International Institute for Ligurian Studies, always committed to the training and growth of youth, and will conclude with the traditional exchange of holiday greetings ahead of the upcoming festivities.

Program:

• Institutional Greetings from the Municipal Administration of the City of Ventimiglia.
• Introduction by Daniela Gandolfi, Curator of MAR Ventimiglia and Director of MARM Diano Marina.
• Federico Lambiti, International Institute for Ligurian Studies, MARM Diano Marina, “The Saturnalia – The December of the Romans.” An overview of the Saturnalia tradition in the imperial era, customs, and traditions that survived until today’s Christmas.
• Luca Storino, International Institute for Ligurian Studies, MAR Ventimiglia, “From Solar Worship to Christmas.” December 25 in the first centuries of our era, the Roman solar festival and the Christian holiday.
• Conclusions and Greetings.

INFO:
Civic Archaeological Museum “Girolamo Rossi”
Via Verdi 41
18039 Ventimiglia
0184.351181 / museoventimiglia@gmail.com / www.marventimiglia.it