Announcement: Roma February 2019 Lupercalia and Equirria Festival

Saturday, 23rd February

10am - Lupercalia Ritual and The Running of the Luperci
In celebration of this most ancient of festivals we will be performing a Roman ritual for Faunus Lupercus, the God of Wild Things and Lupa, the shewolf who nourished the founding fathers Romulus and Remus. After the rite, we will have the Running of The Luperci - half-naked youths who bless the young ladies of the city. The women will run ahead of the Luperci, who will lightly flog them with the goatskin floggers in hopes of fertility (both of mind and body). Following the ritual, we will have our traditional Lupercalia dancing in the garden - and clothing is optional!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA/180/131/42
Luper Cave


11am - Venus' Truth
A variation on our popular Ask Venus event -- this time, Venus would love to hear your poems of love and romance. Come join our beautiful Goddess in the Baths of Caracalla, to lounge, swim, and share the prose and poetry of love!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA/147/35/23
Baths of Caracalla

***********************************************************

Sunday, 24th February

10am - Equirria Legion Blessing Ritual & ROMA Chariot Races
The Legio, in a time honored military display, will present arms and come to be blessed for the new year. After the blessing, we will have chariot races in honour of Mars - all are welcome to try their luck at racing a chariot and a grand prize will be awarded to the victor!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA/213/140/40
Hippodrome Circus Seating


12pm - Lupercalia Grand Feast
Join us for an evening of feasting, dancing, and good company, as well as Live Music by Sassy Nitely! You may opt to wear barbarian/wild outfits in honour of the Lupercalia if you wish.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/239/225/25
Roma Concert


1pm - Legio Half-naked Harpastum
A standard harpastum (Roman football/soccer) game with a Lupercalia twist! Participants may be topless for this event!

Be careful out there - don't let the other players distract you with their charms!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/82/233/42
Legio XIII Fort/Harpastum