Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Live Nation
MadonnaThe Italian Prime Minister’s trips to Italy have caused controversy in the past, and her plans to celebrate her upcoming birthday at one of the country’s most famous tourist attractions have sparked some grumbling among officials.
The Queen of Pop celebrates her 66th birthday on August 16 and The London Times reports that she plans to celebrate the occasion with a dinner for 500 guests in the ruins of Pompeii, the city destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. According to The times, Madonna rented the Great Theater of Pompeii, a 2,200-year-old amphitheater, for her party.
Although the theater is regularly used for musical and theatrical performances, some officials in charge of Italy’s cultural heritage are not keen on the idea of people coming in and renting it for whatever events they want. They seem particularly upset that Madonna is reportedly paying nearly $33,000 for the rent.
Michele Campisithe general secretary of the heritage association Italia Nostra (Our Italy), was quoted as saying: “Why does Madonna have to go to Pompeii? Isn’t there a more beautiful beach she could use?” He also said $33,000 was “absurd,” adding: “It’s like giving Pompeii away.”
Campisi pointed out that other cultural monuments can now be rented for weddings and parties and accused the Italian government of “capitalizing” on the country’s culture. The president of a cultural interest group, meanwhile, warned that Italian cultural monuments should not be used only as a “backdrop” for “exclusive” events.
However, the mayor of Pompeii does not seem to be bothered by this. He was quoted as saying that the city was “ready to welcome Madonna”.
Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
