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The central procession of the 19th Olympic Games in Ptuj
Slovenia🎭 Culture8/23/2026

The central procession of the 19th Olympic Games in Ptuj

The 19th Roman Games in Ptuj, Slovenia, are taking place today as the main event of a three-day celebration of ancient heritage. Organizers expect thousands of visitors and around 800 participants in costumes who will recreate the atmosphere of ancient Rome. The parade begins at 11 AM on the city streets, followed by activities at the market square and old town center. Around 800 Romans will spread across the city for several hours, creating an image of an ancient city. In the afternoon, the event moves to the Roman camp, where various activities, especially for children, are planned. The event started earlier with a formal opening ceremony, featuring a camp setup, a Roman dinner, and presentations of participating groups. The Roman Games are highly international, with groups from eight countries, including neighboring nations and others such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria. A network of cities from the former Roman Empire has formed, enabling quick collaboration and improving the quality of the event.

On Thursday, the central procession of the 19th Roman Games took place in Ptuj, marking one of the largest ancient heritage events in this part of Europe. The event, which has been held almost two decades, attracted thousands of visitors and around 800 participants dressed in historical costumes. The procession began on the city streets at 11 a.m., followed by further activities at the local market square and in the old town center. According to Andrej Klasinč, head of the organization, approximately 800 Romans will spread throughout the city for several hours, creating a vivid image of an ancient settlement. In the afternoon, the festivities moved to the Roman camp, where numerous activities, especially for children, were planned. In the evening, additional programs were scheduled. The event had already begun earlier in the week with a formal opening ceremony on Friday evening at the Roman camp, where a complete tent complex was set up for participating groups. This was followed by a Roman dinner and the introduction of the collaborating organizations. The Society for Roman History and Culture Poetovio LXIX organized a symposium in collaboration with the University of Alma Mater Europaea, the Regional Museum Ptuj Ormož, and the Historical Archives of Ptuj. This year’s theme focused on archives and archivists within the Roman Empire. Sunday was traditionally dedicated to families and the youngest attendees, featuring workshops and interactive activities. Visitors were accompanied throughout the days by Roman cuisine prepared by the participating groups. The Roman Games are highly international in nature. According to Klasinč, this year's event saw participation from groups in eight countries, including all neighboring nations and from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria. He added that over recent years, a informal network of cities from the former Roman Empire has formed, enabling rapid connections and cooperation, which is reflected in the quality of the event. The Roman Games have become a significant cultural attraction, drawing both locals and tourists. The event showcases the rich history and traditions of the Roman era through elaborate costumes, performances, and educational activities. Local businesses and volunteers play a crucial role in organizing and maintaining the event, contributing to its success each year. The presence of international participants highlights the growing interest in preserving and celebrating ancient heritage across borders. The event also serves as a platform for academic and cultural exchange. The symposium and other educational components provide opportunities for scholars and enthusiasts to share knowledge and insights. The involvement of institutions such as the University of Alma Mater Europaea and the Regional Museum Ptuj Ormož underscores the collaborative effort required to bring such a large-scale event to life. These partnerships ensure that the Roman Games remain relevant and engaging for diverse audiences. Looking ahead, organizers expect continued growth and increased participation in future editions of the event. The formation of the informal network among cities from the former Roman Empire suggests a promising trend for sustained collaboration and shared cultural initiatives. As the Roman Games continue to evolve, they remain a vital celebration of history, culture, and community spirit in Ptuj.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 2 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

2 reports

Lokalec logoLokalecIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 808/22/2026
The central procession of the 19th Olympic Games in Ptuj

The 19th Roman Games in Ptuj, Slovenia, are taking place today as the main event of a three-day celebration of ancient heritage. Organizers expect thousands of visitors and around 800 participants in costumes who will recreate the atmosphere of ancient Rome. The parade begins at 11 AM on the city streets, followed by activities at the market square and old town center. Around 800 Romans will spread across the city for several hours, creating an image of an ancient city. In the afternoon, the event moves to the Roman camp, where various activities, especially for children, are planned. The event started earlier with a formal opening ceremony, featuring a camp setup, a Roman dinner, and presentations of participating groups. The Roman Games are highly international, with groups from eight countries, including neighboring nations and others such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria. A network of cities from the former Roman Empire has formed, enabling quick collaboration and improving the quality of the event.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on a cultural festival with no political controversy or ideological framing. It presents factual information about the event, its organizers, participation, and international involvement without any overt bias or partisan perspective.

Why factuality (75): The article provides detailed information about the 19th Roman Games in Ptuj, including dates, activities, expected participants, and international participation. It aligns with typical reporting on such events, though specific details like exact numbers of attendees or precise historical references

Why objectivity (80): The tone remains informative and descriptive, focusing on the event's structure, activities, and cultural significance. There is no overt bias or emotional language, and the article presents both local and international aspects of the event neutrally.

RTV Slovenija (MMC) logoRTV Slovenija (MMC)State / PublicCenterFactual 75Objective 708/23/2026
For the 19th Olympic Games, the stranger has returned to his ancient form.

In honor of the 19th Roman Games, the town of Ptuj in Slovenia has once again transformed into ancient Petovia, the city's Roman-era name. Around 800 residents participated in the event, dressing up as Romans such as legionaries, senators, patricians, matrons, plebeians, and gladiators. The event included historical reenactments and a new competition focused on cooking Roman-style drinks and food. Ptuj, which was historically significant during the Roman Empire, was noted as being larger than both then-London and Vienna, with a population of around 40,000 people. However, many of the most valuable archaeological finds from Petovia have been stored away in depots and are not currently on display.

Bias read (Center): The article focuses on cultural events and historical reenactments related to Ptuj's Roman heritage. There is no mention of political figures, policies, or contentious issues. The content is descriptive and centered on celebrating local history through festivals and educational activities.

Why factuality (75): The article provides specific details about the 19th Roman Games in Ptuj, including the year 69 AD, references to historical figures like Vespasian and Mark Antony Primus, and mentions the population size of Petovia compared to London and Vienna. These claims align with general historical knowledge

Why objectivity (70): The article uses emotionally charged terms such as 'ponosnih Ptujčanov' ('proud citizens of Ptuj') and emphasizes the cultural responsibility to pass down heritage to younger generations. While informative, this framing subtly promotes the event’s significance and may imply a positive bias toward lo

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