Chester is a city in England that still celebrates the ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia, which was originally held in honor of the god of farming and harvest. The festival was initially a single-day event that took place on December 17th, but it later grew in popularity and eventually lasted until December 23rd. During Saturnalia, strict societal rules were set aside, which allowed even slaves to relax and have fun. Gift-giving, excessive eating and drinking were also significant aspects of the celebrations.
Chester was once a large Roman fortress in Britain, making Saturnalia an essential part of the city’s history. Today, the festival is still celebrated as part of the city’s Winter Watch parade. Roman Tours manager Cellan Harston believes that keeping Saturnalia alive is important for reflecting Chester’s Roman heritage and releasing chaos onto the world. Councilor Lisa Denson thinks the celebration is also an opportunity to combine Chester’s modern-day Christmas festivities with an acknowledgment of the city’s past.
Dr. Caroline Pudney, a senior archaeology lecturer at the University of Chester, explains that Saturnalia was a time of merriment, with people engaging in activities such as feasting, gambling, and exchanging small gifts. The festival also entailed the decoration of homes with greenery, such as wreaths and branches, and the lighting of candles. Dr. Pudney notes that soldiers in Chester would have likely honored Saturnalia and that its traditions, which would have been celebrated by the members of the 20th Legion, are echoed in modern-day Christmas festivities.
While the modern Saturnalia parade in Chester is not the same as the ancient Roman celebration, it combines both the Roman festival and the vibrant tradition of the city’s medieval parades and processions. The parade always begins with an actor voicing the words of Domitian, who was emperor when Deva Victrix (Chester) was founded. The parade features an official ceremony that includes the lighting of torches and the handing out of “gifts of light.” The Saturnalia parade takes place in Chester on December 14th at 6:00 pm GMT
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More