ROME. Madonna is set to celebrate her 66th birthday with a private evening tour of the historic archaeological site of Pompeii, according to local officials.
Naples Prefect Michele Di Bari dispelled rumors circulating in Italian media that the pop icon was planning an extravagant birthday party at the ancient site, which was famously destroyed in A.D. 79 by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Instead, Di Bari confirmed that Madonna’s visit on Friday will be a private, culturally focused event.
“She loves Pompeii, loves the archaeological park, and can’t wait to come,” Di Bari told reporters on Tuesday.
The archaeological park of Pompeii, a site of ongoing excavation, has revealed numerous treasures over the years, including exquisitely preserved frescoes and pottery. Just this week, new human remains were uncovered, adding to the rich historical narrative of the city.
Madonna, whose family roots trace back to Italy’s Abruzzo region, has been in Italy for several days. Reports suggest she is a guest of designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana. On Tuesday evening, the pop star was spotted in Portofino, a Ligurian resort town, where she took an evening stroll dressed in black lace and carrying an umbrella. Later, she dined with her two daughters and entourage at the famous Puny Restaurant in Portofino’s main piazza.
Madonna recently concluded her “Celebration Tour” with a free concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, marking the end of a tour that highlighted her decades-long career in the music industry.
An email to Madonna’s publicist seeking comment on the visit was not immediately returned.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
