The long wait of the fans, some of whom came from outside Campania and were present in the archaeological park area since 6 pm, was not rewarded. As expected, Madonna arrived at the Pompeii excavations for theannounced and much talked about “private visit” to the city that was buried by lava from Vesuvius two thousand years ago and, as it emerged after the prefect’s intervention, he did so from the Porta Stabia entrance, the most convenient to allow a smooth manoeuvre for the six minivans plus an escort car that made up the procession that went from the port of Marina di Stabia to Pompeii.
But (Madonna’s arrival was scheduled for 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.), without the artist making any “concessions” to the people (the maximum number of those present reached 200). Not even when the most die-hard fans approached the entrance gate loudly chanting her name, Madonna turned her attention to those present, choosing instead – escorted by about thirty guests, starting with her boyfriend Akeem Morris – to go straight and head towards the archaeological remains. An exceptional guide awaits her, the director of the excavations Gabriel Zuchtriegel. He was the one who took the pop star around some of the park’s beauties (among those announced were the theater district, the house of Menander and the House of the Ceii).
Madonna also made a quick stop at the Teatro Grande, the “apple of discord” of this controversial visit planned for her 66th birthday: here it was said that a grand party could be held with three hundred guests, for a “rent” of 30,000 euros. The denial of the archaeological park came only several days after the leak and only on the eve of the meeting convened at the Prefecture.
The fans outside were disappointed: “At least a greeting after hours of waiting” some of them muttered. Some were quick to point out that it was still a private visit. And to think that outside Porta Stabia there were those who had forged for Madonna a personalized doll that recalled the Celebration Tour, Madonna’s last world tour. It is about Alexander Catsarrived from Rome with the (failed) hope of being able to deliver it directly to the pop star. «The doll – he explains – was created together with Giuseppe De Bellis by our design agency, Artisti Creation. We thought of everything, even the reproduction of the dress that recalls a 1991 dress by Jean Paul Gaultier».
During the long wait, fans also sang and danced to the rhythm of Madonna’s most famous songs. “We are here for our ‘devotion’ and having her in our region is a dream come true because we would never have imagined it. And so it is an honor”, said Francesco. Valeria, another admirer, added: “In 29 years I finally have the chance to see her. A feeling that cannot be described”. “A desire, a dream to see her after so many years” said Emanuela, who came from Castellammare di Stabia with her daughter”.
During her private visit to the Pompeii excavations last night, pop star Madonna also met a group of teenagers and children participating in the project “I Dream of Flying”promoted by the archaeological park with the aim of involving the local community in the cultural life of the UNESCO site. On this occasion, the artist has decided – as reported by the archaeological park itself – to support the project (which according to park sources costs 250,000 euros annually), which sees young people engaged in a creative journey that culminates in the staging of a classic comedy in the Teatro Grande, financing the entire year 2024/25, the fourth since the initiative began, through his foundation «Ray of Light».
On this occasion, the project participants gave a small demonstration of their work when the pop star left the House of Menander, visited together with the director of the site, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, who acted as a guide for the visit carried out by thirty people selected directly by Madonna. The next stop was the House of Ceii, famous for the large fresco in the garden with representations of exotic animals and idyllic-sacred landscapes, before arriving at the Teatro Grande, the setting for other artistic performances and a refreshment at the end of the itinerary that allowed the pop star to celebrate her birthday in the excavations, effectively overcoming the denials of the days before the visit. “I Dream of Flying, the project so generously supported by Madonna, is strategic for Pompeii – explains the director of the archaeological park of Pompeii, Gabriel Zuchtriegel – because it is aimed at the people who live in this wonderful and complex territory, especially young people, and makes them protagonists of an experience with which we wanted to demonstrate that art and culture can truly change our lives. Of course, I would never have imagined, when we started in 2021 amidst a thousand difficulties, that we would have arrived at this point, but evidently dreaming of flying really works: I thank Madonna from the bottom of my heart for her generosity, vision and humanity, which will be a great source of inspiration to move forward. From Madonna the wings for Sogno di volare and for the kids who participate, a beautiful gift she gave us on her birthday. We invite you from now to the show that we will create thanks to her contribution and which will be staged in May 2025 at the Teatro Grande».