On 9 September the brand new park of Centocelle will open permanently to the public as part of the Notte Bianca celebrations.

The park comprises a wood with some 500 typically Mediterranean trees, a nature trail, a cycle path and a play area for children, which will include a game modelled on the biplane first flown by the Wright brothers.

The 33 hectares of park was made possible by city authorities with the collaboration of Rome's environmental and urban planning departments as well as the air force after a long period of intense works for a cost of nearly 2 million.

The inauguration will start at 15.00 and will feature music and circus-style entertainment complete with fire-eaters; ballerinas and jugglers.

Music is organised by the Associazione Culturale Festa della Musica. From 16.00-21.00 will be a special kite creating and flying session followed by an air force musical band, flying of remote control model planes and a parachute show. City mayor Walter Veltroni will join in the celebrations, which will continue with a variety of musical shows and street artist performances throughout the evening.