Pompeii Officials Deny Rumors of Madonna’s ‘Mega’ Birthday Bash Amid Outrage

Pompeii officials have dismissed claims that Madonna was planning a “mega-party” at the Pompeii archaeological site, stating that the rumors were “unfounded.”

Reports surfaced that Madonna intended to celebrate her birthday with 500 guests in the Large Theatre, a 2,200-year-old amphitheatre on the site. This restored theatre, built in the second century BC, is sometimes used for drama and music performances.

Officials from the Archaeological Park of Pompeii released a statement this week, declaring the rumors baseless. According to their translated release, “Regarding the rumors circulating in the press these days about a ‘mega-party’ of an international celebrity with 500 guests in the excavations of Pompeii, as well as about an alleged rent of €30,000 for the Large Theatre, the Archaeological Park specifies that these are unfounded reports.”

The rumors had made headlines earlier this week, with reports suggesting that an American events company had booked the Unesco World Heritage site for €30,000 for Madonna’s birthday. Italian newspaper La Repubblica reportedly quoted Carmine Lo Sapio, the mayor of Pompei, as saying he had been contacted about the event and stated, “We are ready to welcome the singer.”

However, the Pompeii archaeological site has since denied these claims. The initial rumors had already sparked outrage among heritage authorities, who criticized the idea of using publicly owned historical and cultural sites for such events.

Michele Campisi, the general secretary of the Italia Nostra heritage association, questioned, “Why does Madonna need to go to Pompeii? Is there not a more beautiful beach she could use?” He also criticized the rumored fee, stating, “€30,000 is absurd. It’s like giving Pompeii away.”

Rosanna Carrieri, the president of Mi Riconosci, a cultural pressure group, said that while the site had been used for events like fashion shows, she warned against using it as a “scenic backdrop” for “exclusive” events.

There were additionally rumors about Madonna arriving at the port of Marina di Stabia before being driven to Pompeii, where she would reportedly change into a dress designed by Italian fashion designer Francesco Scongamilgio. However, an unspecified police spokesman told The Times that they were unsure of any activities occurring at the historical site but mentioned that officers would oversee security outside the park.

The heritage site is managed by The Archaeological Park of Pompeii, a body of Italy’s Ministry of Culture that preserves, conserves, and promotes public use of the site. Pompeii, once a prosperous city near Naples, was buried by volcanic ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD79, leading to mass devastation and the death of thousands.

The theatre at Pompeii was the first large public building to be freed from the volcanic deposits. The news of Madonna’s alleged birthday event coincided with archaeologists announcing the discovery of remains of two more victims of the eruption nearly 2,000 years ago. The skeletons of a man and a woman were found in a small bedroom in a villa that was being restructured at the time of the eruption. The woman was lying on a bed surrounded by gold, silver, and bronze coins and gold and pearl jewelry, while the man lay at the foot of the bed.

Representatives of Madonna and the Archaeological Park of Pompeii have been contacted for comment.

Source: The Independent, The Times