Raves at Rome’s ancient amphitheatre? New Colosseum director sets record straight

Concerts, either jazz or acoustic, must respect Colosseum as a ‘sacred space’

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A view of the ancient Roman Colosseum, in Rome

(AP)

The man who just took charge of Rome’ top tourist attraction wants to set the record straight: the Colosseum won't be hosting any electronic dance music parties on his watch.

Simone Quilici, director of the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum, shared his plan to bring concerts to the almost 2,000-year-old amphitheatre in an interview with an Italian newspaper earlier this month, and social media proceeded to do what it all too often does.

“Massive raves” were imminent, multiple accounts trumpeted alongside AI-generated images of multicolour light beams shooting from the arena into the heavens.