Parades for marching bands

PARADE DEDICATED TO HIS HOLYNESS POPE BENEDICT XVI

ROME AND THE VATICAN CITY, 22nd - 24th May 2009

Courtial International organizes for the fourth time in Rome the parade dedicated to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and promoted by the Associazione Internazionale Amici della Musica Sacra (International Association of Sacred Music). An extraordinary event whose protagonists are folklore, music and fun. The event has been conceived for bands who will have the chance to bring their music to the Eternal City and to experience a cultural exchange with other countries.

Take part in this unique event! The Roman audience and tourists from all over the world will be an extraordinary setting.

Friday, 22nd of May 2009

• 2.00 PM: Meeting of the organisers and the band directors.
• 4.00 PM: Gathering of all bands on Piazza del Sant'Uffizio.
• 5.00 PM: Holy Mass in St. Peter's Basilica. The bands will take part in the celebration with the execution of some music.

Saturday, 23rd of May 2009

• Gathering of all bands at Via della Conciliazione.
• 4.00 PM: Start of the parade through the streets of the center of Rome.
• Lining up of bands in circle on St. Peter's Square. Performance of Beethoven's Hymn to Joy (European Hymn).
• Pasta-Party. End 9.00 PM.

Sunday, 24th of May 2009

• 11.00 AM: Gathering of all bands on Piazza del Sant'Uffizio
• Noon: Participation in the Angelus-Prayer with the Holy Father. The bands will perform all together "Großer Gott wir loben Dich".

Package rate per person including accommodation in multiple rooms (2 nights), half board and participation in the parade:

• € 180,-- in a good 2- or 3-star-hotel on the outskirts of Rome (arrival to Rome with own bus)
  single room supplement € 50,-
• € 220,-- in simple guest houses in Rome (arrival to Rome with own bus)
  single room supplement € 40,-
• € 240,-- in simple guest houses in Rome, Transfer from/to airport or railwaystation included
  single room supplement € 40,-

For further information please contact:

COURTIAL INTERNATIONAL
Via Paolo VI, 29
I-00193 Rome
Tel.+39 06 688 995 1, Fax +39 06 683 085 68
E-Mail: dir@courtial-international.it

Download detailed information and the registration form here:
Registration form Parade May 2009 (pdf)

Parade in Rome and the Vatican City in May 2008

Parade in Rome and the Vatican City in May 2007

Parade in Rome and the Vatican in May 2006

ROME PILGRIMAGE OF THE EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF HISTORIC ARMED GUILDS AND BENEDICT PARADE Rome and The Vatican City 3-7 November 2007

The European Society of Historic Armed Guilds (EGS) organized a pilgrimage to Rome from 3rd to 7th November 2007. The Society is made of 28 federations from 12 European countries, for a total of around 3,000 groups and approximately six million marksmen and women. The EGS intends to preserve and strengthen the spirit of European fellowship and brotherhood, making it result in a lasting friendship which unites all European nations.

Nearly 800 people took part in the pilgrimage to Rome, which started with the Holy Mass in St Peter’s Basilica celebrated by Dr. Heiner Koch, Ancillary Bishop of Cologne. In the afternoon the Historischer Schützen, together with marching bands and costume groups, participated in the parade dedicated to His Holiness Benedict XVI. All the groups, holding torch lights, marched along Via della Conciliazione and entered St. Peter’s Square where they lined up and performed the “Zapfenstreich”.

On the Sunday morning the groups met again at Piazza del Sant’Uffizio and marched into St. Peter’s Square to participate in the Angelus Prayer. On the piazza, they lined up and played some songs for His Holiness Benedict XVI. The following day the Historischer Schützen had the opportunity to attend a round table at the Pontifical University “Legionaries of Christ” in Rome, followed by the celebration of the Holy Mass at the University church.

The last day in Rome was dedicated to a guided tour of Romantic Rome (Piazza di Spagna, Via del Corso, Fontana di Trevi, Pantheon, Piazza Navona), the attendance of the Holy Mass in the Basilica of St. Mary Major and the investiture of the St. Sebastian’s European Order.