A mix of history, culture, social life and social commitment. At the center of it all was one of the main stars of the musical firmament, Madonna, protagonist of the private visit to the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, where she wanted to conclude the celebrations for her 66th birthday. The pop icon arrived at the excavations around 10:30 p.m., with a procession of minivans with darkened windows, inside which were her boyfriend Akeem Morris, her children and a small circle of friends.
Accompanied by the director of the archaeological area, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, Madonna visited the House of Menander, in via dell’Abbondanza, a typical example of a high-ranking family home, with its atrium frescoed with scenes from the Odyssey and the Iliad.
On the way out, he watched a short performance by the kids who are taking part in the ‘Sogno di volare’ project, promoted by the Archaeological Park with the aim of involving the local community in the cultural life of the UNESCO site.
A project that Madonna has decided to support through her foundation ‘Ray of Light’, with a donation of 250 thousand euros, necessary to finance the activities relating to the 2024-2025 financial year, which will culminate with the staging of a classic comedy in the Teatro Grande.
Wearing an all-white dress and low shoes to walk more comfortably among the ruins of ancient Pompeii, Madonna then visited the Casa dei Ceii, famous for the large fresco in the garden with representations of exotic animals and idyllic-sacred landscapes.
The artist was very interested and asked several questions to director Zuchtriegel to learn the details of what she was admiring. The tour ended at the Teatro Grande, where her dance group, which accompanies her in her concerts around the world, offered an artistic performance to those present.
After the controversy of the last few days, linked to the rumors of a possible mega party to be held in the area of the Teatro Grande, later denied by the management of the Archaeological Park, Madonna has definitively shelved the issue by offering refreshments at the end of the visit: the few lucky guests were able to enjoy cold food, served in small bowls, to best close the long celebrations of the pop star, which in fact began on August 14 with her arrival in Portofino.
The only ones who were a little disappointed were the approximately 200 fans who had been waiting for her since the afternoon outside the Scavi and who were unable to greet her. Arriving aboard one of the minivans, in fact, Madonna went straight past the Porta Stabia entrance, avoiding any contact with the people outside, among whom there were also many onlookers and some journalists.