Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, led the historical re-enactment procession that enlivened the annual Porchetta (roast pig) Festival at the town of Ariccia, (Rome province). Over sixty participants from the Lanuvium Historic Group and the Archeoclub Aricino Nemorense filed behind Ceres/Demeter, the goddess of the harvest, her mythical daughter Proserpina (or Persephone) and the lord of the Underworld, Pluto (Hades), carrying the traditional offerings of wheat crops, flat bread and legumes. Naturally the god of wine, Bacchus, was also present to represent the celebrated wines of the surrounding Castelli Romani. Porchetta, Ariccia's leading gastronomic speciality and a certified IGP product (guaranteed product of a specific geographic area), the true protagonist of the Festival closed the procession. Archeological finds in the Valley of Ariccia, under the town, prove that the cult of Ceres existed in the area in early times. A series of terracotta statuettes dating from the 3rd century BC, included two worshipers with a piglet in their hands. The three-day Porchetta Festival of Ariccia, now into its 69th edition, attracted thousands of visitors who competed to catch the 3,500 porchetta-filled rolls thrown out free into the crowd.
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