Gladiator arena or pop culture scene? Italians are arguing about the future of the Colosseum

Let's leave the Colosseum alone – appeal to representatives of the world of Italian culture in response to the plans announced in the media by the new director of the archaeological park in Rome, Simone Quilici, who wants to organize exclusive concerts and performances in the Flavian Amphitheatre.

Top-level events referring to the history of Rome, such as gladiatorial fight shows, concerts of the world's most famous artists: Sting, Peter Gabriel or Paul McCartney – these are the plans of the new director of the Colosseum archaeological park.

As he explained in an interview for the daily “La Repubblica”, such spectacles would attract both Romans and tourists from all over the world.

Quilici wants the Colosseum to be not only an “icon of the past” and a monument visited by millions of tourists, but also a living place of culture, combining tradition with the present.

Similar events, recalled the director of the archaeological park, take place in amphitheaters in Spain, France, Croatia and Tunisia.

Of course, he noted, rare events would be possible so as not to threaten the structure of the amphitheater.

According to his assumptions, these would be high-quality concerts of both pop and classical music.

“My first goal is to return the Colosseum to the city and revitalize its role,” Quilici said.

In order for such performances to take place in the Colosseum, it would be necessary to build a modern stage made of the latest generation materials in its center; like in ancient times. The work would take about two years, explained the director.

This is another project of reconstructing the stage in the amphitheater discussed in the Eternal City in recent years.

Italian media report on the polemics surrounding these plans and the skepticism with which they were received by representatives of the cultural world.

Italia Nostra, an organization dealing with the protection and promotion of the historical, artistic and natural heritage of Italy, appealed: Let's leave the Colosseum alone.

La Repubblica reported that renowned urban planner Vezio De Lucia said he was not convinced by the “pop perspective” and expressed the opinion that these plans could lead to a reduction in the value of the Colosseum's cultural heritage.

Sylwia Wysocka from Rome (PAP)

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