Chester Roman Festival, posted by Kebi

The Roman Festival was the inaugural event of Chestival; a new month long festival to be held in July in Chester. Ya Raqs were proud to be part of a wonderful, event packed and brilliantly run weekend. A march through the city, of the largest number of Roman soldiers seen in Chester for hundreds of years, started off each day; with us bringing up the rear and making as much noise as possible. There then followed a hectic fun filled day of dancing to live musicians and talking to hundreds of people.


Meroe dances with the musicians

The highlight of each day was the Gladiator show in the amphitheatre, with an audience of a couple of thousand people. The girls performed the moving Dance of the Dead, and then performed again at the interval to a very warm reception.

On the Sunday, the Race for Life ran through Grosvenor Park where the main camp was situated. The soldiers gave the woman a Guard of Honour, and Tameri danced and cheered the whole time the women passed through. She might as well have run the race for the amount of enthusiasm she showed!


Aziza, Kebi and Tameri in the procession

It is estimated 7,500 people saw the event. As it was such a success we will be back next year, even bigger and better!