Budapest Saturnalia festival is held at the Roman museum of Budapest called Aquincum. The Christmas Festival in Roman Style is an annual event much awaited by fans of the ancient Roman times, culture, lifestyle and history in Hungary.
Saturnalia Budapest (BTM.hu Photo)
Budapest Saturnalia 2012: The Roots of Christmas festivities in the Antiquity
Date of the event: December 04 – December 07, 2012, from 10 am to 4 pm
Theme of 2012: Saturnalia – The Roots of Christmas festivities in the Antiquity
Venue: the ancient style ‘Christmas’ is held at: Aquincum Museum, Exhibition Hall, District III in Budapest, at 135 Szentendre Way
“The best of times!” according to Catullus, and indeed, Saturnalia was a really happy festival from Dec 17 to Dec 23 in ancient Rome, not the least for the slaves who could temporarily enjoy being the masters in the reversal of roles during Saturnalia.
Kids Workshop in Aquincum in December (photo source: BTM.hu)
The merry festival of Saturnalia was dedicated to the Roman god of Saturn, i.e. the god of agriculture and joy in the ancient times. Saturnalia is considered to be the ancestor of the modern day Christmas festivals.
Saturnalia Budapest is organized by Aquincum Museum and the Circle of Friends.
Detailed program of Budapest Saturnalia 2012
- Interactive guided tour of the permanent exhibition of Aquincum Museum, Budapest
- “How was the ancient Saturnalia” – conversation about the antique roots of Christmas celebrations
- crafting Antique Christmas gifts i.e. hand made Xmas gifts with Antique motifs
- Saturnalia pools: a quiz about Saturnalia
- Children programs and workshops
Entrance fee: HUF 700
For further information please contact the museum itself
Aquincum Museum, Budapest
Phone: 430-1081
E-mail: aquincum@aquincum.hu
