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CONCERT

Rolling Stones gig sparks heritage concerns

One group of ancient stones is under threat from another, fear authorities in Rome, as the Rolling Stones prepare for a huge concert among the "very fragile" ruins of Italy's capital.

Published: 17 March 2014 07:18 CET
Rolling Stones gig sparks heritage concerns
The Rolling Stones will play in Rome on June 22nd. Photo: Roslan Rahman/AFP

The iconic British rockers are set to play to 65,000 fans in the Eternal City on June 22nd at the Circus Maximus, the ancient Roman chariot racing stadium.

The coming influx of spectators has raised concerns among heritage groups, who warned of "unpredictable consequences" and possible "acts of vandalism" in a "very fragile" area.

"The choice of the Circus Maximus for the Rolling Stones concert brings a measure of risk for the heritage of the area that is not only heightened but also hard to predict," said the office of archaeological supervisors in a statement.

They have called for an "extraordinary security plan" to be put in place to protect historical sites.

It is not only the Rolling Stones that are bringing huge crowds to the city, however.

The canonization of two former popes – John Paul II and John XXIII – on April 27th is expected to bring as many as two or three million people to Rome.

None of this has Mayor Ignazio Marino – himself a Rolling Stones fan – concerned.

In a letter published on Sunday in the daily La Repubblica, the leftist mayor said the chance to hear "the passionate chords of their rock in the archaeological heart of the city will be yet another demonstration of 'the great beauty' of Rome."

His mention of the 'the great beauty' – or 'la grande bellezza' – bore reminders of the recent Paolo Sorrentino film of the same name, which won an Oscar for best foreign language film earlier this month.

The film became a major talking point for the chattering classes in Rome with its depiction of a decadent and bored elite, obsessed with looking back to grander days.

The government hopes that the Rolling Stones concert can turn into a full weekend of cultural events that will help rejuvenate the staid reputation of the city, while also providing a much-needed economic boost.

The Roman chamber of commerce predicts that the canonizations and the concert could see the influx of tourists rise to 40 million this year, up from 35 million in 2013.

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PROTESTS

Thousands protest in Rome against fascist groups after green pass riots

An estimated 200,000 people descended on Rome on Saturday to call for a ban on fascist-inspired groups, after protests over Italy's health pass system last weekend degenerated into riots.

Published: 16 October 2021 19:20 CEST
A general view shows people attending an anti-fascist rally called by Italian Labour unions CGIL, CISL and UIL at Piazza San Giovanni in Rome
People attend an anti-fascist rally called by Italian Labour unions CGIL, CISL and UIL at Piazza San Giovanni in Rome on October 16th, 2021. (Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP)

Carrying placards reading “Fascism: Never Again”, the protesters in Piazza San Giovanni — a square historically associated with the left — called for a ban on openly neofascist group Forza Nuova (FN).

FN leaders were among those arrested after the Rome headquarters of the CGIL trade union — Italy’s oldest — was stormed on October 9th during clashes outside parliament and in the historic centre.

Analysis: What’s behind Italy’s anti-vax protests and neo-fascist violence?

A man holds a placard reading "yes to the vaccine" during an anti-fascist rally at Piazza San Giovanni in Rome

A man holds a placard reading “yes to the vaccine” during an anti-fascist rally at Piazza San Giovanni in Rome on October 16th, 2021. Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP

“This is not just a retort to fascist ‘squadrismo’,” CGIL secretary general Maurizio Landini said, using a word used to refer to the fascist militias that began operating after World War I.

IN PICTURES: Demonstrators and far right clash with police in Rome after green pass protest

“This piazza also represents all those in Italy who want to change the country, who want to close the door on political violence,” he told the gathered crowds.

Last weekend’s riots followed a peaceful protest against the extension to all workplaces of Italy’s “Green Pass”, which shows proof of vaccination, a negative Covid-19 test or recent recovery from the virus.

The violence has focused attention on the country’s fascist legacy.

Saturday’s demonstration was attended by some 200,000 people, said organisers, with 800 coaches and 10 trains laid on to bring people to the capital for the event.

Workers from the Italian Labour Union (UIL) react during an anti-fascist rally in Rome

Workers from the Italian Labour Union (UIL) react during an anti-fascist rally in Rome on October 16th, 2021. Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP

It coincided with the 78th anniversary of the Nazi raid on the Jewish Ghetto in Rome.

Over 1,000 Jews, including 200 children, were rounded up at dawn on October 16th, 1943, and deported to the Auschwitz concentration camp.

General Secretary of the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL), Maurizio Landini (C) delivers a speech as Italian priest Don Luigi Ciotti (R) looks on

General Secretary of the Italian General Confederation of Labour (CGIL), Maurizio Landini (C) delivers a speech as Italian priest Don Luigi Ciotti (R) looks on during the anti-fascist rally in Rome. Photo by Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP

“Neofascist groups have to be shut down, right now. But that has to be just the start: we need an antifascist education in schools,” university student Margherita Sardi told AFP.

READ ALSO: Covid green pass: How are people in Italy reacting to the new law for workplaces?

The centre-left Democratic Party, which has led the calls for FN to be banned, said its petition calling on parliament to do so had gathered 100,000 signatures.

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