Invictus Day - Mandela from Rome Capital

A tribute to Nelson Mandela in the heart of Rome

Invictus Day - Mandela from Rome Capital is a sports and cultural event held annually in the City of Rome, the capital of Lazio, coinciding with the international Mandela Day on July 18th. Hosted in the solemn CONI Hall of Honour at the Foro Italico, the day is dedicated to those who build bridges between people and nations through sport, culture, volunteering, and social commitment.

The title draws inspiration from the famous poem Invictus: being 'invictus' does not mean never falling, but always finding the courage to rise again and help others do the same. This is the very spirit that animated the life of Nelson Mandela, the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize laureate and South Africa's first democratically elected president, to whom the entire event is dedicated.

The «Ambassador of Freedom» Award

The symbolic heart of the event is the presentation of the «Ambassador of Freedom Mandela» award, established in 2022 by the Rome Capital section of the UNVS. Each year, it is conferred upon individuals who have distinguished themselves in the sporting, social, cultural, scientific, or civic fields by promoting the values of freedom, justice, and human dignity. Alongside the main honour, numerous other awards and commendations are presented.

Sport, culture, and human rights

The event serves as a moment of collective reflection that unites diverse disciplines: sport, understood as a school of loyalty and inclusion, is combined with historical memory, the defense of human rights, and the promotion of civic engagement. The program alternates between institutional ceremonies, award presentations, and artistic performances, fostering a dialogue between generations and cultures.

• Award ceremony for the «Ambassador of Freedom» prize
• Recognition of excellence in sports, social, medical, and academic fields
• Musical interludes and live performances
• Institutional speeches dedicated to legality and inclusion

Organizers

The initiative is promoted by the «Rome Capital» section of the UNVS - National Union of Sports Veterans, in collaboration with the Academy for Arts, Sciences, and Professions and the S.S.D. Bracelli Club. The event is supported by numerous institutional and cultural partners, including the patronage of CONI, the Lazio Region, the Embassy of South Africa in Italy, the Pontifical Salesian University, and the Academy of Legality.

Rome, the city that embraces Mandela's values

The choice of Rome and the Foro Italico is no coincidence: in this iconic venue of Italian sport, the capital renews its commitment to peace and rights every year, making Invictus Day one of the most significant events of the Roman summer season dedicated to the memory of Nelson Mandela and the construction of a more just, inclusive, and supportive world.