Latin returns to theatre in Sagunto (Spain) for the first time in 1800 years

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Despectus in Sagunto et in theatrum romanum ex oppido

I have no idea what the background to this is or whether it's an annual event; perhaps someone else can fill me in on what this big five-day event is all about. Is it aimed at a revival of Latin, or a celebration of Roman culture, or both?

Rough translation of a few paragraphs:
Aquam volo!, Aquam volo! solicitaba un asistente sediento a uno de los esclavos, momentos antes de que comenzara la obra en latín de Plauto, mientras los vendedores ofertaban sus productos: Olivas, cicerones habeo! (¡Tengo olivas y garbanzos!).
Aquam volo! Aquam volo! asks a seated assistent to one of the slaves, moments before the start of the work in Latin by Plautus, while vendors offered their products: Olivas, cicerones habeo! (I have olives and chick peas!)
El Teatro Romano de Sagunto viajó ayer hasta el siglo I d.C. y lo acompañaron en este salto al pasado 1.200 estudiantes de toda España disfrazados con togas y túnicas, en el caso de los hombres, y peplos, en el caso de las féminas.
The Roman Theatre of Sagunto travelled yesterday to the first century AD accompanied in this jump to the past by 1,200 students all over Spain disguised in togas and tunics (for men) and peplos (for the women).
Estos nuevos plebeyos y patricios se sentaban, por primera vez en 1.800 años, en el graderío dispuestos a comprar, vender, gritar y cantar en lingua latina. El espectáculo no defraudó.
These new plebians and patricians sat down ,for the first time in 1,800 years, in the stand to buy, sell, shout and sing in Latin. The show did not disappoint.
Discípulos et magistros se entusiasmaron con este novedoso cierre del festival de cultura clásica que ha inundado Sagunto durante toda la semana con talleres didácticos y obras de Aristófanes o Esquilo.
Students and teachers are excited about this new festival of classical culture that has swamped Sagunto all week with educational workshops and works by Aristophanes and Aeschylus.

Pero la última representación de ayer fue especial, ya que se ofreció íntegramente en latín ante un público más romano que nunca. Y lo cierto es que nadie se durmió...
But the ultimate representation yesterdays was special, as it was offered entirely in Latin before a public more Roman than ever. And certainly nobody fell asleep...

And:
Los talleres de vestimenta, matemáticas, mitología, magia y adivinación o cocina romana han saciado la curiosidad de más de 12.000 escolares durante cinco días. Los recetarios romanos, por ejemplo, muestran, gracias a los Arguiñanos de la época que los antiguos eran excepcionales consumidores de...
Clothing workshops, mathematics, mythology, magic and divination and Roman cooking have sated the curiosity of more than 12,000 students over five days. The Roman cookbooks for example show thanks to the Arguiñanos(?) of the time that people of old were exceptional consumers of... (big list here that I don't feel like typing out)

2 comments:

Arguiñano fan said...

Hi, it may be a little late for this comment, but ain't matter.

"Arguiñano" is a basque surname, and it belongs to a very famous chef on Spain (Karlos Arguiñano), who has had his own cooking TV show since 1991 and still is on air (despite it has changed from network to network).

He is so famous, that isn't unusual to use his surname (he's known by it rather than by his name) as synonym for "chef" or "cook".

Arguiñano fan said...

Hi, it may be a little late for this comment, but ain't matter.

"Arguiñano" is a basque surname, and it belongs to a very famous chef on Spain (Karlos Arguiñano), who has had his own cooking TV show since 1991 and still is on air (despite it has changed from network to network).

He is so famous, that isn't unusual to use his surname (he's known by it rather than by his name) as synonym for "chef" or "cook".

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