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The Predappio Pilgrimage
- Mussolini's Legacy
Neo-fascists from all over Europe
gather in the small Italian town of Predappio
each year to celebrates the anniversaries of the
birth and death of Benito Mussolini, Italy's notorious
ex-dictator. Born in Predappio on July 29th 1883,
Mussolini's body is buried in the family tomb
in San Cassiano cemetery.
Each year on April 28th, the day of his death,
his black shirted followers gather in the darkness
of the crypt to salute 'Il Duce'. As well as commemorating
his death, a burgeoning trade in Mussolini paraphernalia
can be found in Predappio's souvenir shops.
In recent years, a resurgent nationalism has
glossed over the more shameful parts of Italy's
history. Fascist apologists have become more outspoken
in praising Italy's notorious ex-dictator. The
heir to the fascist party, and a prominent member
of the Italian coalition government, Gianfranco
Fini, has even called Mussolini the greatest Italian
statesman ever.
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