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Madonna to Fund Youth Art Project to Celebrate her 66th Birthday

Madonna performs during the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, US, February 5, 2023. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/FILE PHOTO
Madonna performs during the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, US, February 5, 2023. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/FILE PHOTO
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Madonna to Fund Youth Art Project to Celebrate her 66th Birthday

Madonna performs during the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, US, February 5, 2023. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/FILE PHOTO
Madonna performs during the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, US, February 5, 2023. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/FILE PHOTO

Madonna will fund an artistic project involving youths, she announced during her 66th birthday celebrations in Pompeii.
While touring the Pompeii archeological park Friday with its director, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the American pop star met a group of teenagers involved in “Sogno di Volare,” or “Dream of Flying."
As part of the project now in its fourth year, hundreds of young artists perform re-adapted comedies by Aristophanes, starting from Pompeii’s amphitheater, Teatro Grande, and then touring other Italian theaters. Madonna announced she would fund “Dream of Flying" for one year — about 250,000 euros ($275,000), The Associated Press reported.
“This project generously supported by Madonna is strategic for Pompeii, because it is directed to the people who live in this marvelous and complex territory, in particular youths,” said Zuchtriegel. He noted that many of the kids involved live in poor southern towns where rates of school dropout and unemployment are higher.

Zuchtriegel announced that the show financed by Madonna’s foundation will be on stage at Pompeii’s Teatro Grande in May 2025.

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Wildfires, Fanned by Strong Winds, Blaze in Türkiye's West and North

People walk in front of the Eminonu New Mosque during sunset in Istanbul, Türkiye, 15 August 2024. EPA/ERDEM SAHIN
People walk in front of the Eminonu New Mosque during sunset in Istanbul, Türkiye, 15 August 2024. EPA/ERDEM SAHIN
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Wildfires, Fanned by Strong Winds, Blaze in Türkiye's West and North

People walk in front of the Eminonu New Mosque during sunset in Istanbul, Türkiye, 15 August 2024. EPA/ERDEM SAHIN
People walk in front of the Eminonu New Mosque during sunset in Istanbul, Türkiye, 15 August 2024. EPA/ERDEM SAHIN

A forest fire in Türkiye's western coastal province of Izmir, fanned by strong winds, is near residential areas, forcing some people to be evacuated, the local governor said on Friday, as firefighters also tried to contain other wildfires in the north.

The fire in Izmir started late on Thursday in the Karsiyaka district for unknown reasons, as firefighters already worked to contain three separate fires in northwestern Türkiye.

Izmir Governor Suleyman Elban said the fire in Karsiyaka continued in between four and five different areas despite efforts to contain it using planes, helicopters, and other vehicles, adding that a village had been evacuated, Reuters reported.

"The intervention is becoming difficult as it is very close to residential areas. There is no loss of life until now," Elban said. "We have information that some houses burned. Since there are winds of up to 80 kilometers (49.71 miles) per hour now, we often have to stop the aerial intervention," he said, adding efforts would intensify if winds eased.

Footage on local broadcasters showed flames engulfing tracts of land, approaching apartment buildings and roads in Karsiyaka, with black smoke billowing above forests and the city.

The fires in northwestern Türkiye are in the Eceabat district of Canakkale province, the Goynuk district of Bolu province, and in Manisa province's Gordes district.

Earlier on Friday, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said the fire in Canakkale - sparked by a roadside electricity pole - had been contained and the Manisa blaze was partially contained. Efforts continued to douse the fire in Bolu.

He warned of a high risk of wildfires in the next three days due to high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds.

The governors of Canakkale and Bolu provinces said several neighbourhoods or villages had been evacuated as a precaution, but that there was no immediate threat to residential areas.

Türkiye's coastal regions in particular have in recent years been ravaged by wildfires, as summers have become hotter and drier, which scientists relate to climate change.