Photo: Ricardo Gomes
On the evening of Friday, August 16, coinciding with her birthday, Madonna visited the archaeological site of Pompeii, where she met with a group of teenagers and children who are involved in the ‘Sogno di Volare’ (‘I Dream of Flying’) project – an ambitious initiative staged by the Archaeological Park with the aim of engaging the local community in the cultural life of the UNESCO site. The theatrical programme offers young people the opportunity to embark on a creative journey culminating in the performance of a classical play in Pompeii’s ancient theatre. During the course of the evening, Madonna’s decision to support the project was made public. Madonna is funding the entire next season, the fourth since the initiative began, through her ‘Ray of Light’ foundation. What began a few weeks ago as a potential evening visit has thus flourished into a partnership that spotlights the future of the archaeological site and its commitment to the ‘heritage community.’
The youngsters staged a short theatrical performance as Madonna left the House of Menander, which she visited with the site's director, Gabriel Zuchtriegel. Acting as her guide, Zuchtriegel then showed her the House of the Ceii, famous for its large fresco in the garden depicting a dramatic scene of an animal hunt framed on either side by idyllic sacred landscapes. The tour concluded at the ancient city’s theatre, which formed the backdrop for more artistic performances and refreshments were served bringing the evening to a close.
“Sogno di Volare’, the project so generously supported by Madonna, is strategic for Pompeii,” said Pompeii Director Gabriel Zuchtriegel, “because it speaks directly to the local people who live in this wonderful and complex area, especially young people, and makes them protagonists of an experience that will show them that art and culture can truly transform our lives. Of course, I would never have imagined when we started in 2021 amidst a thousand setbacks, that we would have come this far, but evidently dreaming of flying really works. I sincerely thank Madonna for her generosity, vision, and humanity, which will be a great source of inspiration for us on our journey ahead. From Madonna, the gift of wings for ‘Sogno di Volare’ and for all the young people who participate, a beautiful present given to us on her birthday. You are all invited to the show we will produce thanks to her generous donation and that will be performed in the ancient theatre of Pompeii in May 2025.”
About three hundred teenagers and children from the Vesuvian area—a territory marked by a high risk of school dropout, unemployment and youth emigration—have been involved with ‘Sogno di Volare’ over the past three years and they have contributed as actors, musicians and scriptwriters in the successive shows: ‘The Birds,’ ‘Acarnesi: Stop the War,’ and ‘Pluto: God of Gold,’ all adaptations of Aristophanes’ plays directed by Marco Martinelli with music by Ambrogio Sparagna and costumes by Roberta Mattera. Conceived by Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the initiative has brought together young people from Pompeii, Scafati, Castellammare di Stabia, Torre Annunziata, Torre del Greco, Boscoreale and Naples along a creative and artistic journey that has also taken them beyond Campania: after the premiere in Pompeii's theatre, the troupe went on tour and performed in Bologna and Ravenna and the stage is set for a show in Vicenza this autumn.
The next season’s play has not yet been chosen, although it will certainly be another comedy by Aristophanes. Once again it will be adapted by the young participants themselves to give their voice not only to the reality of the ancient world, but also to their own experiences peppered with a mixture of classical, contemporary and Neapolitan jokes that have entertained and won over audiences in Pompeii, Bologna and Ravenna. A documentary film called ‘Sogno di Volare’ (2022), directed by Marcello Adamo, follows the progress of the theatrical production in its first year and is available to watch on Sky and Amazon.
Special thanks go to the Prefect of Naples, Michele Di Bari, and all the Prefect's staff for their support throughout the evening, as well as to all the members of the police force of the Municipality of Pompeii who did their utmost to ensure public order in the town of Pompeii, as there were many fans waiting to see the artist. And thanks to the staff of the Archaeological Park for their usual cooperation in the management and supervision of the site.
Photo: Ricardo Gomes