North American premiere of Pompeii at the Canadian Museum of Civilization
Gatineau, Quebec, March 10, 2005 — On August 24 in A.D. 79, the greatest natural disaster of the ancient world destroyed Pompeii, a city often associated with wealth and pleasure, leaving a perfect time capsule of city life at the height of the Roman Empire. The exhibition Pompeii tells the story of the human tragedy of the Mount Vesuvius eruption.
For the first time in North America, visitors will have the chance to see nearly 500 artifacts from Pompeii, Herculaneum and other archaeological sites of the Vesuvian area — frescoes, sculptures, jewellery, body casts and household items. The exhibition will be presented at the Canadian Museum of Civilization (CMC) from May 27 to September 12, 2005.
“Since the first archaeological discoveries in the region in 1738, people have been fascinated by the history of Pompeii and by stories about the volcano’s survivors and victims,” said Dr. Victor Rabinovitch, President and CEO of the Canadian Museum of Civilization. “The objects in this exhibition shed light on an extraordinary natural disaster. They are also the most complete, intact archaeological remains of life in Roman times, and they have rarely been allowed out of Italy.”
Archaeologists have recently uncovered splendid masterpieces by goldsmiths, painters and sculptors in the cities destroyed by the volcano. The artifacts reveal the grandeur and the opulence of the villas and city dwellings of the rich, famous and powerful. They also show aspects of the everyday life of more humble people. Of particular interest are the body casts of victims that connect today’s visitor to people who lived and dramatically died 2,000 years ago.
Pompeii has been shown to enthusiastic audiences in Naples, Brussels, Trieste and Mannheim. After its North American premiere at the CMC, the exhibition will travel to the Field Museum in Chicago, to Japan, to China, to the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto and to the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston.
Pompeii was developed by the Soprintendenza Archeologica di Pompei together with the Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici di Napoli e Caserta, and promoted by the Regione Campania-Assessorato ai Beni Culturali, with the support of the Compagnia di San Paolo and a contribution from the Autostrade Meridionali SpA.
Adult admission to Pompeii will cost $15 and includes general admission to the Museum. Timed-entry reservations and advance purchase are recommended.
For more information, the public can call 1 800 555-5621.
Media Information:
Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: (819) 776-7167
Media Relations Officer
Canadian Museum of Civilization
Tel.: (819) 776-7169
Fax: (819) 776-7187
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