Roman Notes

Highlights from the cultural world of Rome

Roman Notes

On 12 December at 5.30 pm, the volume of the conference on the Christian archaeologist Giovanni Battista de Rossi (1822-1894) will be presented at the Pontifical Institute for Christian Archaeology. The conference took place in February and paid tribute to previously unknown aspects of de Rossi's archaeological work and biography. At the book launch, Domenico Palombi (Rome) will acknowledge the archaeological and Agostino Giovagnoli (Milan) the historical output of the volume. The Pontifical Institute and the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Archaeology invite you to attend.

Program

Rector's opening speech for the new academic year on 7 November

From 17-19 November, an English-Italian-language conference on "Pluralisation of Religion in Rome between the End of the Papal State and the Beginning of Fascism (1870-1922)" will be held at the German Historical Institute in Rome, organised by Martin Wallraff (Munich). The topic is the non-Catholic religious presence in Rome.

Program 

Austrian multimedia artist and photographer Cornelia Mittendorfer has presented her installation of photo portraits of the 11 rectors of the Pontifical Institute of Christian Archaeology in the anticamera of the rector's office. The founding rector of the Institute is the Luxembourg priest Johann Peter Kirsch, who hangs in the geometric centre of the wall and is depicted solely in black and white. 

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In the Museo di Roma (Palazzo Braschi) near the Piazza Navona, a special exhibition on "Roma medievale: Il volto perduto della città" is on show until 5 February. The exhibition is worthwhile for long stretches, but it weakens somewhat the further you go. It begins with the great basilicas of Rome and then deals with topography, everyday life, liturgy, etc. and ends with the medieval vedute of the 19th century. Unfortunately, in many cases only facsimiles are exhibited, but one is used to that by now because of the insurance sums. Original frescoes rescued from churches in the 19th century are important elements of the exhibition.

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On Monday, 7 November, there will be the opening Mass in Santa Prassede at 9.30 am. This will be followed at the Institute (Via Napoleone III, 1) by the Rector's opening speech. Afterwards, the photographer Cornelia Mittendorfer (Vienna) will explain the photo gallery of the rectors she has designed in the antechamber of the Rector's Office. Finally, Prof. Chiara Cecalupo will present a small exhibition on the first rector of the Institute, the Luxembourg priest Johann Peter Kirsch. Those interested are cordially invited. 

Until 7 November, one can still register as a listener in the introductory course, for the inscription courses or for the diplomas.

Thus eternal commemoration is assured: The 11-year report of the Roman Institute of the Görres Society is on display and has thus joined the Olympus of the Vatican Secret Archives, which no longer call themselves Secret Archives. The report mentions not only the prefect of the archive Sergio Pagano, but also his staff Alejandro Dieguez and Federica Giordani, the latter a member of the RIGG. Photo of the diligent archive visitor I. García.

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