ROME – Madonna has announced that she will fund arts projects involving young people at her 66th birthday celebrations in Pompeii.
The American pop star was touring Pompeii Archaeological Park on Friday with park director Gabriel Zuchtriegel when he met a group of young people taking part in “Sogno di Volare” (Dream of Flying).
Now in its fourth year, the project sees hundreds of young artists re-adapting Aristophanes’ comedy, which will begin at Pompeii’s Teatro Grande amphitheater and travel to other Italian theatres. Madonna has announced she will fund “Dream of Flying” with about 250,000 euros ($275,000) for one year.
“This project, generously supported by Madonna, is strategic for Pompeii because it is addressed to the people, especially the young people, who live in this incredible and complex area,” said Zuchtriegel, who noted that many of the participating children live in poor southern towns with high rates of school dropout and unemployment.
Suftriegel announced that the show, funded by the Madonna Foundation, will open at Pompeii’s Grande Theatre in May 2025.
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