Announcement: May Roma Festival, Bona Dea and Mercuralia

This weekend we celebrate Bona Dea, honouring the Goddess Fauna; and Mercuralia, honouring Mercurius, God of Commerce.  Hope to see you Saturday morning!

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Saturday, 25th May

10am - Bona Dea Ritual and Maypole Dance
Our festivals begin with a ritual for Bona Dea, "The Good Goddess" - Also known as Fauna, She is the daughter of Faunus, and a goddess of virginity, fertility, and healing. Bona Dea's rites included only women - even paintings or drawings of men or male animals were forbidden - but in our ROMA, the menfolk are welcome to Her rites. After the rite, we will have a traditional maypole dance, music, and picnicking!
The Temple of the Five
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Insula/24/52/26


12pm - Faunalia Fishing Contest
As Flora is a Goddess of green, growing things, so Fauna is a goddess of all who sport fur, feathers, or... scales! Come try your luck in the Faunalia Fishing Contest - catch and collect beautiful pets and have a chance at winning prizes - using the 7Seas Fishing system,  1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners receive cash prizes.
Roma Fishing
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/129/9/22


All Saturday and Sunday
Sponsored by the C.D.S., in honour of Bona Dea
An art show of women artists from the personal collection of Chancellor Kyoko Furse-Barzane , nestled into the heart of Roma, and consisting of both 'flat' pieces and sculptures.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA/176/73/26
Torin Plaza


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Sunday, 26st May

11am -  Mercuralia Ritual and Treasure Hunt
Mercury isn't just the herald of the Gods - He's also the patron of merchants and commerce! So this Mercuralia, we will be honouring Him with a ritual on the roof of Trajan's Market! After the ritual, there will be Mercury's Treasure Hunt - Mercury has dropped His parcels and most of His money while flying home to Olympus! The pouches are now scattered throughout ROMA!  Can you help Him find them? But watch out - each pouch will give out only one prize, and then it will disappear. So you will have to be swift to find these elusive pouches before anyone else does!
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA/184/42/26
Roma Plaza


12pm - The Mercury and Fauna Grand Feast
Our Festival winds down with the Mercury & Fauna Grand Feast - come celebrate the return of Spring with us! Dancing, good conversation, curated music and a delicious feast.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/200/195/30
Field of Mars


1pm - Legio XIII's Vinovium Messenger Race
In honor of Mercurius, racers must help soldiers pass messages of vital importance to the defence of Roma!  All can participate - cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd; a Legionary winner will also get a medal.
http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/ROMA%20Transtiberim/18/177/42
Legio XIII, Fort Western Gate