The new way of learning history at school is called Walk with ABC and this is part of the ABC School Projects Art Beauty Culturepromoted by Lazio region with Roman capitalthrough Zètema Cultural Project, as part of the PR FSE+ 2021-27. What is it about? This is not the usual classroom lesson. And not even the classic school trip. The first experience took place on January 31 and was an experiential journey: lucky students representing 47 high schools in Lazio walked discovery of ancient Rome in the company of writers, poets and social media broadcasters.
Julius Caesar told in the theater
The march, in the name of the great Roman leader, began where Caesar's ascension ended. In what is now theSacred area Of Great Argentinaon March 15, 44 BC, in fact, the 23 stab wounds that killed the founder of the Roman Empire were inflicted.
To the children of the last three years of secondary schoolsof the Professional institutes and the gods VET institutions (ed the Education and Professional Training courses), to which the project is aimed, the possibility of reliving emotions, but also actions, of when Rome it became one of the greatest empires the world can remember.
All thanks to the stories of Cristoforo Gornopopularizer and author of the book “I am Caesar“, of the writer and poet Marco Lodoliand the social broadcaster Gian Marco D'Eusebi who, at the Teatro Argentina, recounted and interpreted certain historical events, transforming them into contingent emotions and sensations.
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THE Julius Caesar from Shakespeare to the Imperial Forums
The march ended at the Imperial Forums. The heart of Roma the master of the world, a unique archaeological area in the world, built from 46 BC to 113 AD, also thanks to the will of Julius Caesar, who enlarged what was at that time the ancient Republican Forum, where politics or matters of public interest. Thus was born Caesar's Forum, which was followed by that of Augustthat of Nerva and finally the most majestic: that of Trajan.
Walk with ABC could only end with a theatrical performance: the actor Massimo Wertmüller he performed Anthony's funeral oration, taken from Julius Caesar Of Shakespeare.
Walks through history and culture continue
Walk with ABC, last November, he had already introduced other boys to Tivoli with its two splendid villas. However, on March 5 and 6, it will be the time to accompany students in discovering the Roman castles and the literary pages that these places suggested.
The two days at Roman castles will leave from what was for centuries the summer residence of the popes: Gandolfo Castle. Here in Papal Palace o Apostolic Palace, since 1628 all the Popes have stayed there, with the exception of the current one. For this reason, the residence is part of the Vatican Museums and is considered an extra-national territory, that is, it enjoys the same recognized rights as embassies.
The visit continues Nemi, an enchantment of less than 2,000 inhabitants, famous for growing strawberries and for lake, on the banks of which are the ruins of temple of Diana. The story of the succession of temple priests has been told by James George Frazer Neither “The Golden Bough” cornerstone of anthropology which will be offered to students to understand how certain archaic myths still influence our daily lives.
READ ALSO Rome: what to see and do in the Eternal City
Between enchanted gardens and literature, for a new narrative of the territory
On the Lake Nemi he also neglects Genzano, the last stage of the first day to discover the Castles through the stories linked to them. Places of strong inspiration if it is true that Montegiove, the hill of Genzano inspired The never-ending story, novel written in 1979 by Michael Endébut which still fascinates teenagers (and others) thirsty for fantasy.
On March 6, however, the children will discover an enchanted garden, that of Nymph8 hectares of rare plants, citrus fruits, prunus, climbing roses and enveloping flowers, which inspired among others Virginia Wolf, Ungaretti and Moravia. How can we not take advantage of the opportunity to discover this natural gem guided by literary texts?
Not far from what New York Times defined as “The most beautiful and romantic garden in the world” welcomes students Sermoneta. The village of Lazio, which invites you to get lost in its streets, to find yourself in its squares or under the Tower of Petrara. But after visiting the walls cyclopean and the Caetani Castle.
From the Castelli lakes to Lake Bolsena, a journey of emotions
On March 26, the cultural walks of Walk with ABC they will arrive on the banks of the volcanic lake the largest in Europe: that of Bolsène which overlooks not only the town of the same name but also the medieval village of Capodimonte with her Rocca Farnese, one of the stages of the walk in this part of the Viterbo region.
Introduce students to the history and atmosphere of the lake and its two islandsthat Bisentine And the one of Martane, will be Amalasunta, the daughter of Theodoric, king of the Goths? Here she was imprisoned and killed (by her father's cousin). But his ghost still wanders the shores of the lake…
Not only Italy, but also Portugal
The walks through history, always in the company of actors, directors, cinematographers and other intellectuals, will go beyond national borders and arrive from April 8 to 10 in Lisbon. And after immersing yourself in the atmosphere of the city of Fado, also thanks to reading the poems of Pessoathe boys with Walk with ABC they will stop at Sintrawith his Pena Palacean enchanted castle with a thousand colors.
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The prize giving ceremony for the school competition will take place in May
The classes that participated in the project will be able to produce an article, in the form of video, text, song, photo, comicwhich will be evaluated and rewarded by a jury of experts. Walk with ABC in fact, he wants to help students to reflect on the deep meaning of words and history, to know not only the events or monuments, but also the emotions and feelings that they can arouse.
Info: projectabc.it
