Romadiffusa brings a roaming, free arts festival to Esquilino on 10–11 October

# What this is Romadiffusa is a free roaming cultural festival that moves to a different Rome neighbourhood each year. For its fifth edition it takes over Esquilino on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October. The stated theme is "Roma Città Eterna Odierna" (Rome, the Eternal City of Today), an explicit aim to showcase the city's contemporary and everyday cultural life instead of focusing only on monuments.

# How the festival works Piazza Vittorio serves as the festival hub hosting music, talks, sport and stage performances. From there the programme branches out into the neighbourhood: shops, cafés, restaurants, bookshops and bars host readings, live music and small exhibitions. Artists' studios and some private homes open to the public for site-specific events and visits.

Most activities are free to attend. Certain workshops, guided tours and talks have limited capacity and require booking or a fee.

# Notable events and venues

• Nuovo Mercato Esquilino: advertising panels and display spaces are repurposed for contemporary art by eight artists, including Fiamma Montezemolo, Wu Ming 2, Lorenzo Teodonio, Lulù Nuti and Andreco.

• Piazza Vittorio: central hub for daytime music, talks and open performances.
• Palazzo Merulana, Acquario Romano and Giardino di Confucio: host performances, talks and smaller scale events.
• Arcades and rooftops: jazz under the arcades, DJ sets on terraces and stand-up comedy in bars.

# Activities for visitors The programme mixes short performances with hands-on and guided activities: architecture walks, tours of local places of worship, an esoteric tour, and workshops in mosaic-making, woodcarving and tailoring. The festival's layout encourages moving on foot through Esquilino rather than staying in one venue.

# Context and scale Last year's edition, held in Rome's historic centre, reportedly drew more than 80,000 visitors, with over 100 venues and around 200 artists. Romadiffusa is supported by Rome's city council and intentionally uses everyday and historic spaces to stage new or experimental work.

# Practical tips

• Arrive early at Piazza Vittorio to pick up maps or information and to use it as a meeting point.

• Bring cash and online payment options for any paid workshops, food stalls or ticketed events.
• If you want a workshop, tour or a limited-seating talk, check booking requirements in advance.

# Who should go Visitors who want short performances, neighbourhood-focused contemporary art and a mix of live music and practical workshops. The festival suits people who prefer exploring by foot and sampling multiple small-scale events rather than attending a single long performance.

# Quick summary Romadiffusa in Esquilino is a two-day, mostly free festival that layers contemporary art, music and community events over everyday places. It adds commissioned works and site-specific installations to neighbourhood cafés, markets and public spaces, making the area itself part of the programme.