Despite its problematic start in 2003, when a power failure suddenly darkened the entire Italian peninsula, and forced to cancel most of the events, Rome’s “White Night” has quickly become one of the most relevant cultural events in Italy. More than 2 million people are expected to attend hundreds of free events that will engage at least 1,000 artists coming from all over Europe and the United States.

Ballet stars Roberto Bolle and Alessandra Ferri will kick off this year’s “Notte Bianca” on Sept. 9th, when they will dance a scene from Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet” in Piazza del Campidoglio. They will be followed on the same location by pop singer Gianni Morandi and by one of Italy’s most popular stage and screen stars Gigi Proietti.

The events will then spread all over Rome: theatrical and musical performances will take place in the most unusual places, such as Platform 24 of Termini Railway Station; the National Art Gallery at Palazzo Barberini; the Zoo; the Ministry of Economic Affairs; the Gasometer; as well as in Rome’s most famous tourist sites, such as the Colosseum, the Circus Maximus, Piazza del Popolo and the Angeli Bridge in front of Castel Sant’Angelo.

One of Italy’s veteran actors, Giorgio Albertazzi, will perform the death of Julius Caesar in the archeological area of Torre Argentina, in the same place where the Roman Emperor was stabbed to death in 44 BC.

This year’s “Notte Bianca” will end at 8 AM on Sept. 10. The event is sponsored by the Rome’s Municipality and Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with Italy’s Ministry of Culture. Public transport, including the Rome Metro, will operate all night; no car will be admitted to the city center. For further information, and for the complete program, you can visit the official website at www.lanottebianca.it.