1900 years ago, Trajan: press conference with Pino Quartullo and Di Majo

1900 years ago, Trajan, this is the title of the theatrical performance written by Pino Quartullo and Mara d'Aquila that will be staged next 4 August in the Historic Port of Civitavecchia.

The Director from Civitavecchia, which in the past had greeted the figure of the great Roman emperor, today, at the Committee Room of the Port System Authority, has presented to the press his last work accompanied by choreographer Maria Luisa Rubulotta and by some members of the Ballet that will perform on Friday.

"The show wants to bring out the great humanity of Emperor Trajan, who was a unique character in history and that will be remembered  for its great works in the military and artistic fields, as well as and above all for his great humility; being loved and admired by the people as well as by his soldiers".

Pino Quartullo

“1900 years later - continues the director - the works made by Trajan are still present and alive in our city and in the world (Trajan died on the 8th August 117 d.C., exactly 1900 years ago, editor's note.).

So many important authors and poets throughout history remember him as an example of unmatchable humanity and values and even Dante, in the Divine Comedy, places him miraculously in paradise. During the event-show, we will relive situations and characters related to the life of the Emperor.”

Maria Rosaria Omaggio will be Plotina, wife and counselor of the emperor, while Francesco Montanari (Romanzo Criminale - the show) will play Pliny the Younger, magistrate and political supporter of Trajan. Claudio Cocino (dancer from Civitavecchia, first dancer of Teatro dell'Opera di Roma) will perform together with Susanna Salvi, recalling the spirituality and soul of the great emperor with staging by Maria Luisa Rubulotta.

Finally, Pino Quartullo is in charge of playing the last moments of life of the emperor, disclosing some details and unknown anecdotes.

“We will tell the birth of the port of Civitavecchia, which still maintains the structure of the Trajan era with the two lateral piers  and the central barrier of the Barbican […]. We will exploit the natural light of sunset and our stage will be a bastion of the Fountain of Vanvitelli with the historic architecture as scenery."

Pino Quartullo

The Director from Civitavecchiese ended his speech by thanking in addition to present Advocate Francesco Maria Di Majo (President AdSP), also Doctor Alfonsina Russian (Government Department Responsible for Archeology, Fine Art and Landscape of the Metropolitan Area of Rome), Advocate Vincenzo Cacciaglia (Foundation Ca.Ri.Civ) Commander Salvatore Barone and family Burchi (So.Com.Ci.) for their support.

In the margins of the conference the president of the AdSP Francesco Maria Di Majo recalled how this celebratory event fits inside an important series of initiatives to enhance the great cultural heritage of Civitavecchia with the intention of approaching the city to its port, in particular to the historic area.

Furthermore, in order to pay homage to the great power obtained by the naval Roman fleet in the Trajan era, a life-size reproduction of the bow of an ancient roman ship (The Liburna) was commissioned and it will be exposed close to the staircase in Porta Livorno in the coming days.

The model was rebuilt from an effigy present on the Column of Trajan, monument built by the great architect Apollodorus of Damascus to celebrate the conquest of Dacia by the Emperor Trajan.

The inaugural evening will conclude with a spectacular scenographic lighting of the monuments of the port including the Fort of St. Peter in Molo del Lazzaretto. A truly unique opportunity to admire the beautiful port of Civitavecchia that 1900 years after Trajan still maintains intact all the great charm.

But the event Trajan Optimus Princeps does not end here: to learn in detail the program of shows and other activities click on the link below:

TRAJAN OPTIMUS PRINCEPS: FULL PROGRAMME OF EVENTS