Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park since 2021, has published a book titled "Quando gli dei lasciarono il mondo. L’ultima estate di Pompei" (Feltrinelli). In an interview with Artribune, he discusses his career path from Germany to Italy, his previous role directing the Paestum archaeological park and museum, and his vision for managing one of the world's most complex and symbolic archaeological sites. He reflects on the challenges of overseeing 13,000 excavated rooms, the responsibility of leadership, and the satisfaction of community projects like the classical theater initiative "Sogno di Volare" for local teenagers.
This matters because Zuchtriegel represents a new generation of archaeological leadership that blends rigorous science with literary sensitivity and contemporary relevance. His book reframes the Vesuvius eruption not just as a catastrophe but as a lens to examine societal change, the decline of ancient cults, and the emergence of new beliefs—themes that resonate with modern anxieties. The interview offers insight into the management of a UNESCO World Heritage site that attracts millions of visitors, highlighting the balance between preservation, research, and public engagement in cultural heritage.