8 March 2025. International Women’s Day - events and initiatives

Celebrated for the first time in 1909 in the United States, International Women’s Day was established to commemorate the social, economic and political achievements of women, but also the discrimination they have been and are still subjected to in the world. In Rome, a broad program of initiatives involves state and municipal spaces and places in the city.

International Women’s Day in the Civic Museums

The program curated by the Sovrintendenza Capitolina includes visits to the cultural heritage and thematic in-depth studies to discover stories of extraordinary women in art, history, reality and imagination.

The Civic Museums are hosting a series of meetings and guided tours dedicated to female talent in art, culture and history and to the protagonists of the city’s cultural and social life, from antiquity to more recent times. The museums involved include Museo di Roma at Palazzo Braschi, which on 7 and 8 March will exceptionally open to the public until 10 p.m. (last admission at 9 p.m.) the exhibition Roma Pittrice. Female artists at work between the 16th and 19th centuries. On 8 March, at 6.20 p.m., a guided tour (with LIS interpreter) with Ilaria Miarelli Mariani, Director of the Civic Museums Department, will explore the themes of the exhibition. For activity participants, free entrance to both the museum and the exhibition. Activity participants get free admission to both the museum and the exhibition. At the archaeological complex of the Villa of Maxentius, Annia Regilla, wife of Herod Atticus, will be the protagonist of the guided tour (with LIS interpreter) entitled Prima di Massenzio - Before Maxentius. At the Museo della Repubblica Romana e della memoria garibaldina, the focus will be on the stories of courage and patriotism of the heroines who took part in the defense of Rome. The Gallery of Modern Art in Via Francesco Crispi will host a guided tour (with LIS interpreter) of the exhibition La poesia ti guarda. Omaggio al Gruppo 70 (1963-2023) for a reflection on gender stereotypes and their influence on the society of yesterday and today. For participants, free admission to the museum. All activities are free with compulsory booking on +39060608. Except where otherwise indicated, entrance to museums according to current prices (free for Roma MIC Card holders).

Museum events are also scheduled on 7, 9 and 16 March.

Some of the visits have been translated into Italian Sign Language (LIS), thanks to the collaboration of the Department of Social Policies and Health (Personal Services Directorate) and the non-profit social cooperative Segni di Integrazione - Lazio. Deaf people can also make reservations through the free multimedia service CGS Comunicazione Globale per Sordi di Roma Capitale (https://cgs.veasyt.com/ ) from Monday to Friday from 8.30 a.m. to 6.30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.

International Women’s Day in the cultural venues of Roma Capitale

#8marzosempre is the hashtag-manifesto of the initiatives organized by Roma Capitale to spread a clear message: equality should not be celebrated but built every day. The program of widespread events includes shows, meetings, screenings, exhibitions, book presentations, prizes and activities for children to reflect on the condition of women, on our society and on the importance of the battles for emancipation that have seen great women in history as protagonists and that are still present in our daily lives today.

The Ara Pacis Museum will pay homage to Carla Lonzi, an authoritative figure of radical feminism, an intellectual and militant in Italy, with the show Noi (We), written and performed by Lunetta Savino with the collaboration of Viola Lo Moro, starting at 9 p.m. on the stage of the Museum Auditorium. The event, promoted by the Assessorato alla Cultura, and realized by the Dipartimento Attività Culturali with the organizational support of Zètema Progetto Cultura and in collaboration with the publishing house La Tartaruga, is free of charge with compulsory booking at +39060608 (entrance from Via di Ripetta 190).

The program of the Teatri in Comune network will include shows and meetings dedicated to women, with a special focus on female creativity and courage, lost loves and missed opportunities. In particular, the theater involved in the initiative are the Teatro di Villa Pamphilj, the Teatro del Lido di Ostia and the Teatro Tor Bella Monaca. Tickets available online at www.vivaticket.com.

The program of the Sistema Biblioteche di Roma Capitale - Libraries of Roma Capitale will include meetings to celebrate the feminine universe and discuss fundamental issues related to women’s rights, emphasizing the importance of an ongoing and collective commitment to build a society that repudiates gender discrimination, and is more inclusive and equitable. Full program is available at www.bibliotechediroma.it.

The program organized by the Fondazione Cinema per Roma at the Casa del Cinema in Villa Borghese on the occasion of International Women’s Day includes two films as part of the series dedicated to some of the greatest masters of the Seventh Art. For the cycle “Bergman e il desiderio”, at 6 p.m. there will be a screening of the 1960 film “The Virgin Spring” by Ingmar Bergman (in the original version with Italian subtitles). For the cycle “Zavattini, il poeta del cinema italiano”, at 8 p.m. there will be the screening of the film “Siamo Donne” (We Are Women), a 1953 film in five episodes by as many directors, including Roberto Rossellini and Luchino Visconti, starring six extraordinary actresses: Alida Valli, Ingrid Bergman, Isa Miranda, Anna Magnani, Anna Amendola and Emma Danieli.

Tickets available online at www.boxol.it/casadelcinema.

The initiatives are promoted by the Assessorato alla Cultura di Roma Capitale - Department of Culture of Roma Capitale and proposed by the Dipartimento Attività Culturali - Department of Cultural Activities, the Sistema Biblioteche di Roma Capitale, the Fondazione Cinema per Roma, the Sovrintendenza Capitolina - Capitoline Superintendence for Cultural Heritage and the Teatri in Comune network.

The events and initiatives of the Department for Productive Activities and Equal Opportunities

Over 100 events spread throughout Rome and organized by the Assessorato alle Attività Produttive e Pari Opportunità - Department of Productive Activities and Equal Opportunities in collaboration with the Department of Culture, the Municipalities, the Libraries of Rome, the Capitoline Superintendency, and the Local Police of Roma Capitale. A program that takes the theme of equality everywhere: in neighborhoods, theaters, schools, sports centers and squares, with initiatives dedicated to culture, women’s rights, work and safety.

Discover the complete program of events.

International Women’s Day in State Museums

On 8 March 2025, the Ministry of Culture is celebrating International Women’s Day by inviting all women to visit museums, archaeological parks, monumental complexes, castles, historical villas and gardens and other state-owned cultural sites free of charge. A special initiative to celebrate and reflect on the cultural importance of this anniversary, with a rich program of events, guided tours and shows at the Hendrik Andersen House-Museum, the Vittoriano and Palazzo Venezia, the Ostiense Museum and the Galleria Spada.

The list of events is constantly updated and is available at cultura.gov.it/evento/8-marzo-2025.