FASCIST FIENDS
THEY are hardly the sort of souvenirs you expect to see on holiday in Italy.
But trippers are snapping up swastika mugs, Hitler busts and other memorabilia of hate at a tourist site.
Predappio in Italy is becoming a mecca for extreme right-wing ghouls – many from Britain – because fascist dictator Mussolini is buried there.
The Sunday People travelled to the town 60 miles north-east of Florence as bus- loads visited the former Italian tyrant’s crypt to mark his birthday.
Some performed Nazi salutes while others shouted about sending their enemies “to the ovens”.
And they browsed shops selling everything from smiley Hitler T-shirts to babygrows with figures performing fascist salutes.
One shopkeeper said: “The English are our biggest customers after Italians and French. They come here because this is where Mussolini is buried.”
The crypt is opened three times a year to mark the birthday of Hitler’s pal on July 29
1883, his death on April 28
1945 and his march on Rome when he seized power in 1922.
Many want it opened all the year round to boost trade.
Immigration
Pierluigi Pompignoli, who owns the most popular souvenir shop in Predappio, Tricolore, described his far-right products as “antiques”though most appear to be freshly made.
He said: “It is not weird for us to sell these antiques. We’re not doing anything wrong.”
Asked if he is a fascist, white-haired Mr Pompignoli – who claimed he could be arrested for performing what he calls “a Roman salute” – replied: “I am a Mussolini supporter.
“I am not against immigration. One thousand people is OK but 1,001 is too many.
“I want the crypt to be opened because it will be good for my business. Shops here re need the extra business.” business.
He is backed acked by the town’s first rightwing mayor ayor for 75 years, Roberto Canali, who was elected in May as the far-right movement made major gains across Italy. aly.
Mr Canali, nali, who was born and raised in Predappio, says he is not a Mussolini ussolini supporter but is in favour our of opening the dictator’s s crypt full-time.
Sitting in his grand office, where Mussolini ussolini once sat, he said: “I think hink it could bring
100,000 visitors a year to the town, which ich would be worth over €1million million in revenue.
“I met t with Mussolini’s great-grandson ndson Caio on Sunday and he said aid he would like it to be r e o p e n e d . The people here want it because of the money it will bring.
“I don’t think it will attract more ore fascists. I think norrmal peo- o
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