Year of the Dragon

In comes 23 January 2012, and on stage enters the Chinese Year of the Dragon. A few days ago, in preparation thereof, one of Rome’s main squares - piazza del Popolo - hosted a large meeting to celebrate the festive event.

What is particularly interesting was not just the traditional dances, national dresses, and the four large dragons carried around. The interesting thing was that almost a half of performers where actually NOT Chinese, but Italians…

A sign of how intangible heritage spreads among different sectors of urban population. In a multicultural place, intangible heritage, and artistic events based on it, can give form to new, unheard of creations. It somehow reminds me of “Blade Runner” - but in a more positive, optimistic way.

(Rome, 23 January 2012)