04-24-2006, 10:46 PM
Yes, definitely.
I fondly recall its 2750th birthday, in 1997, when on the Capitol a copy of the statue of Marcus Aurelius was unveiled. There was a big white plastic sail across it, but the wind caught it and soon, the head of the emperor became visible, followed by an arm and the head of the horse. Now the Italian TV had paid for the image of the unveiling, and a car of the fire-brigade entered the square, where the visitors refused to leave.
Mayor Rutelli saved the situation. Improvising a speech, he said that if the emperor were addressing his people, it would be inappropriate if officials intervened, and that he was proud to announce that the good emperor had personally decided to greet the Romans.
After this, he announced that people would no longer have to buy a ticket for the Forum, and that was the end of the meeting.
I fondly recall its 2750th birthday, in 1997, when on the Capitol a copy of the statue of Marcus Aurelius was unveiled. There was a big white plastic sail across it, but the wind caught it and soon, the head of the emperor became visible, followed by an arm and the head of the horse. Now the Italian TV had paid for the image of the unveiling, and a car of the fire-brigade entered the square, where the visitors refused to leave.
Mayor Rutelli saved the situation. Improvising a speech, he said that if the emperor were addressing his people, it would be inappropriate if officials intervened, and that he was proud to announce that the good emperor had personally decided to greet the Romans.
After this, he announced that people would no longer have to buy a ticket for the Forum, and that was the end of the meeting.
