The game that Romans practiced at least two thousand years ago is once again available to play after researchers managed to recreate a game board discovered at the archaeological site of Vindolanda, located in northern England. This copy was created by scanning and subsequent 3D printing and is now on public display at the Roman Army Museum.
This strategy game, known as Ludus Latrunculorum, requires two participants to face each other on a checkered board. The game mechanics are similar to checkers: the goal is to capture the opponent's pieces or prevent them from moving.
The original game board was found in 2019 near Hadrian's Wall, in an area that was part of the military settlement of Vindolanda. This settlement was founded in 85 AD and housed thousands of people, including soldiers, women, children, and other civilians. The stone piece was located near a 3rd-century road, not inside the fortification. This location suggests that the game may have been used by members of the local civilian population.
After Vindolanda was abandoned, the game board took on a new function. It was used as a tile on a farm located on that site and was eventually broken into five fragments before being discovered by archaeologists. Researchers scanned each piece and conducted a digital reconstruction of the object. They then manufactured a complete replica using polylactide (PLA) with a 3D printer.
The new version is available to visitors of the Roman Army Museum, which is only a few kilometers west of Vindolanda. Thanks to this, the public can experience Ludus Latrunculorum nearly two thousand years after the original board ceased to be used.
To date, 16 game boards have been found in Vindolanda. These finds help demonstrate the presence of such activities in the daily lives of Romans and their interest in strategy-based competitions. Other similar artifacts have been identified in locations associated with Emperor Hadrian. Near Hadrian's Gate in Jerusalem, Roman legionaries drew the Alquerque game board, which originates from Ancient Egypt and is considered a possible predecessor to modern checkers.
In Hadriopolis, Turkey, researchers also found pieces that were likely used in Ludus Latrunculorum—also called Ludus Latrunculi—or in Duodecim Scripta, a game similar to gambling. It is believed that these activities were popular among soldiers as they promoted strategic thinking. However, the evidence found in Vindolanda shows that board games were not limited to the military environment and were also used as a form of entertainment by various groups of the population.
The city of Piracicaba will host the 29th Polenta Festival between July 24 and 26, an event dedicated to celebrating Italian culture in the region. Located approximately two hours from São Paulo, the festival takes place in the Santa Olímpia neighborhood, an old colony established by families from northern Italy in the late 19th century.
This annual festival brings together cultural performances, local wines, and typical cuisine. The main dish, polenta, is served in various forms, such as fried and grilled, and is accompanied by sauces. Additionally, the menu includes sausage and couscous, representing Trentino-Tyrolean cuisine. In each edition, it is estimated that about five tons of food are prepared for the participants.
The event's program includes shows, choir performances, the election of the festival queen and princess, and a traditional opening mass on Friday night, the 24th. The festival was organized by the community itself in collaboration with the municipal government, aiming to honor the cultural heritage of the regions of Trento and Tyrol, which are currently part of Italy and Austria. The immigrants who left these areas acquired the Santa Olímpia Farm in 1892, thus founding the Tyrolean Colony of Piracicaba.
The Polenta Festival began in 1991, marking one hundred years of immigration. It has now become one of the most important events in Piracicaba, attracting around 25 thousand visitors annually. Residents keep alive the architecture, cuisine, and even the dialect brought by their ancestors more than a century ago.
During the event, all commercial transactions must be made using a consumption card, which can be loaded at official counters. This payment method will be accepted at all points of sale, eliminating the need for physical cash or tokens. The payment system will only be active during the three days of the festival, and any excess credits will not be refunded after the closing.
The event will take place in Praça Jacob Stenico, in Santa Olímpia, Piracicaba. Admission is free. Parking is available, charging R$ 25 for motorcycles and R$ 30 for cars.
A concert will take place at the City Hall featuring over one hundred young musicians from the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (CPYO) and the University of Cape Town Symphony Orchestra (UCTSO). The event is scheduled for October 13th.
The concert, conducted by Brandon Phillips, is dedicated to the development of young talent and the collaboration between the two orchestras. The program includes the performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 with soloist Isaac van der Merwe, as well as Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 'New World'. Additionally, the audience will hear the world premiere of 'Chaos in Disguise, Part 1' by South African composer Kyle Benade.
Brandon Phillips, who serves as the permanent conductor of the University of Cape Town Symphony Orchestra, a staff conductor of the Cape Town Philharmonic, and a former musical director of CPYO, noted that this performance highlights the long-standing partnership between the ensembles. He stated that this collaboration reflects a shared commitment to developing the next generation of orchestral musicians, providing young performers with an opportunity to hone their skills and gain valuable experience.
Phillips expressed satisfaction at the opportunity to welcome Van der Merwe back as a soloist, noting that Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto remains one of the most captivating and rewarding pieces in the piano repertoire for both audiences and performers. The award-winning orchestral work by Benade will also be presented; it received the University of Cape Town Ian Royce Prize for Orchestral Composition. Phillips described this composition as a 'bold and inventive score' and emphasized that such performances help support emerging South African composers.
The concert will begin at 7:30 PM. Tickets can be purchased through Webtickets or Artscape Dial-A-Seat at 021 421 7695.
Yugo Kobayashi, the mangaka who created the series Ao Ashi, attracted internet attention by presenting a drawing of Spanish footballer Marc Cucurella. This drawing appeared after Spain defeated France 2-0 at the 2026 World Cup.
The 27-year-old Spanish defender Marc Cucurella gained international recognition for his distinctive curly hairstyle and high defensive skills demonstrated during the match against France. Furthermore, Cucurella recently moved from Chelsea to Real Madrid on June 15, 2026, which contributed to an increase in his fan base.
Kobayashi's illustration captured Cucurella's distinctive hairstyle during his goal celebration. One Ao Ashi fan shared their opinion on X (formerly Twitter), noting that Cucurella looked very fierce and had 'the same admiring look as Ashito,' adding that the drawing was magnificent. Another user pointed out the resemblance between Cucurella's character and Ashito, the manga's protagonist.
Ao Ashi is a well-known football manga that was published in Weekly Big Comic Spirits from 2015 to 2025 and consists of 40 volumes. The story follows a boy named Ashito from Ehime who strives to succeed in the world of football, playing as a full-back in the J-League youth team. The manga received high praise for avoiding flashy superpowers common in other genres, such as Kuroko No Basket and Blue Lock, focusing instead on a deeper tactical approach.
The second season of the animated adaptation is expected to be released on October 4, 2026, and will consist of 24 episodes. According to available information, TMS Entertainment is taking over production from Production I.G, which handled the animation of the first season shown in 2022.
