Roman holiday at college
 Staff photo by Krista Ledbetter Tony Rajer, left, professor of museum studies at Beloit College, welcomes guests to the Roman Holiday Festival’s toga party on Saturday night. Rajer organized the day-long festival, which celebrated Roman culture. |
Posted: Monday, Apr 14, 2008 - 12:01:32 pm CDT
By Krista Ledbetter
Daily News staff writer
Two-thousand years ago, the Romans heralded the coming of spring with a week-long festival.
On Saturday, students at Beloit College heralded the coming of spring with their own Roman celebration, although spring didn't make much of an appearance.
Despite a cold rain and some snow flurries, the Roman Holiday Festival, held at the Wright Museum of Art, was a success, said organizer and professor of museum studies, Tony Rajer.
About 450 people of all walks of life, he said, made an appearance at the day-long festival Saturday, which ended with a toga party in the evening. The festival was meant to replicate the annual Roman festival by honoring ancient Mediterranean cultures and to highlight Beloit College's respect for the study of the classics.
The day consisted of workshops, demonstrations, re-enactments, lectures and activities, Rajer said.
“We really brought ancient Rome alive,” he said. “Tonight is our chance to honor all the people who were involved - staff, students, academics from six different universities.”
Rajer considered the day a “big success.”
First-year student Hilary Dixon would agree. She sported her toga, admittedly made of bed sheets, and enjoyed the celebration.
“I've really been enjoying myself,” Dixon said. “I think this is great.” Dixon spent much of the day running a booth at the festival to promote a substance-free house that she helped co-found on campus. But by evening, she donned her Roman apparel and joined the others in celebration.
Members of Legion XIIII, a Milwaukee-based Roman re-enactment group, were invited to participate Saturday, and those who did were impressed with what they experienced.
“I think this is just wonderful,” said member Brian Wilson. “There is a good diversity of Roman history here. It seems like we like to think our society is based on our own customs, but really, we developed a lot of it from the ancient Romans and Greeks. They've had a subliminal impact on a lot of what we do.”
Heather Hershey said the festival really brought history to life, as do reenactments. “It really helps you experience and feel the history,” she said.