Arvalia in Danza

A week of dance across the Marconi and Magliana districts

Arvalia in Danza is the festival promoted by Municipality XI Rome Arvalia Portuense, in the city of Rome, to mark International Dance Day, celebrated annually on April 29th. Rather than being confined to a single theater, it is a widespread, multi-venue program: for seven days, dance moves out of the studios and into the neighborhoods of the Municipality, from the Marconi area to Magliana, and from Portuense to Trullo and Corviale.

Open doors to dance

The core of the initiative is the open door concept: local entities—dance schools, academies, cultural associations, senior centers, and self-managed spaces—open their doors to citizens with free lessons, open days, and workshops. It is a tangible opportunity for those who have never danced to try a discipline without economic barriers, and for experienced dancers to explore styles beyond their usual practice.

• Free trial lessons at the Municipality's schools and academies
• Open days and workshops for children, teenagers, adults, and seniors
• Recitals, performances, and artistic showcases by local associations
• Thematic seminars, including a session dedicated to somatic dance

The celebration along the Tiber

The highlight of the festival is the community open-air event along the Tiber, in the stretch between Parco Tevere Marconi and Parco della Magliana. Here, school performances alternate with interactive moments where the public is invited to join in—a choice that perfectly captures the spirit of the event, where the technical quality of the academies blends with the popular and inclusive nature of dance. The riverside setting, with its walkways and redeveloped green areas on the left bank, offers an unusual backdrop for Rome's major events, far from the tourist circuits of the historic center.

Dance as a tool for social cohesion

Arvalia in Danza was born with a goal declared by the municipal administration: to promote dance as an expressive form, a tool for well-being, and an occasion for meeting. In a vast and diverse area like Municipality XI—which stretches from Portuense to the working-class neighborhoods of the south-western outskirts—the festival also serves as a map of the local associative fabric, networking entities that often work in parallel without knowing each other. Activities involve all age groups, from children's courses to dance groups at senior centers.

The context: Municipality XI and the name Arvalia

The name of the festival recalls the official designation of the Municipality, Arvalia Portuense, which in turn is linked to the ancient Fratres Arvales, the Roman priestly college that performed agrarian rites in the sacred grove of Dea Dia, along the Via Campana, right in this sector of the Roman countryside. This is a reference that the Municipality also uses for other cultural initiatives, such as the Arvalia Prize dedicated to local excellence. In the landscape of events in Lazio and the capital, Arvalia in Danza represents a model of local-based manifestation: low costs, strong roots in the neighborhoods, and free access to all activities.

Who it is for

The festival is aimed at a deliberately broad audience: families with children, young people who attend local dance schools, fans of contemporary and classical dance, but also curious residents who find in the Municipality's parks an opportunity for social interaction. All initiatives are free to attend.