MOVE SHOW gala a surprise finale for MOVE Congress organisers and ISCA guests of honour
By Giorgio de Tommaso, Editorial CNIFP, and Rachel Payne, ISCA
On the road to what was once the Stadium of Domitian at the Piazza Navona in Rome, a group of young flag bearers from the Umbrian city of Giove appeared in the dark of night to the roll of drums, surprising passers-by, tourists and MOVE Congress organisers and ISCA guests of honour. This was the start of the MOVE SHOW, presented by Association MOVE and eight local organisations in collaboration with Roma Capitale after the ISCA General Assembly on 25 October.
The MOVE SHOW celebrated Rome as the host city of the 6th MOVE Congress, which was organised by the International Sport and Culture Association (ISCA) and the Italian Federation Sport for All (UISP), with support from the City of Rome, Region Lazio and the Presidency of the Council. It was made possible with the support and patronage of the Italian National Committee for Fair Play (CNIFP), FIST, FAFIT, BeSport, Colli di Serra Petrona and Cenerentola in agreement with the Friends of the Stadium of Domitian.
After the flag demonstration, the MOVE Congress organisers and ISCA guests of honour were guided into the Stadium of Domitian to a MOVE SHOW gala, organised by Alessandro Alcanterini and André de la Roche, which was like stepping into a time machine and being taken back two thousand years. The stadium, built in 86 AD by Emperor Domitian, is the birthplace of the sporting and cultural activities that have made Rome a unique example to the world. Its walls and pillars framed the gala’s 1½-hour long feast of Roman history and culture, including a tribute to a number of Italian organisations’ own historical connections to ISCA.
An opening parade of competition-winning costumes, including gladiator armour and a mussel shell dress, was followed by contemporary and futuristic music, KungFusion, dance, Domenico Modugno’s rendition of the songs “Wonderful” and “Volare” and soprano Silvia Pietrantonio’s modern opera finale.
ISCA President Mogens Kirkeby addresse
d the audience, along with the President of the Sports Commission, Svetlana Celli, who represented Roma Capitale, and CNIFP President and Honorary ISCA Member, Ruggero Alcanterini.
In 1994 in Svendborg, Denmark, a decision was made to establish a new international organisation for sport for all, and this led to ISCA being officially founded in 1995. Alcanterini was one of these founders. Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of ISCA and the occasion also promises to be celebrated in grand style. With the spectacle, host of distinguished guests and hospitality provided by Rome on this occasion, it will be a hard act to follow – but well worth the wait.
Stay tuned to find out which city will host the MOVE Congress in 2015.
