LIFE IN FASCIST ROME
Organized Leisure
Life under fascism facilitated fascist ideals, which included strength, power, and military readiness, as well as unity and loyalty to the nation-state and the Partito Nazion ale Fascista, or National Fascist Party (PNF). While physical strength and athleticism were key components of a good fascist, a strong mentality and emotional stability were also important. Regimented uniformity was a result of the propaganda techniques implemented by the fascist party and Mussolini for the Eternal City.
Fascism was seen as the fulfillment of the Risorgimento where the continuation of Italian unification was facilitated by propaganda. The PNF aimed to manipulate culture to resist a bourgeois, aristocratic way of life and to instill fascist ideals into everyday life while building a national consensus. Propaganda was used to create the ideal culture under fascism to demonstrate fascist achievements. This can be seen through propaganda and the Cinecittà , a cinema and movie-producing studio. Films and information were created and shared to spread fascist ideals to individuals and the community. The Fascist Revolution Exhibition (MUR) allowed for different architects to employ their designs. Leisure activities consisted of bioparco and films focusing on fascist conquests and imperialism.
Society under the regime was instructed to build good, strong fascist citizens with an underlying sense of party loyalty. Emphasis on the Romanità encouraged movement towards Ancient Roman lifestyles and ideals, linking fascism to empirical powers in combination with modern and glorious establishments of Rome. Mussolini's Rome facilitated the foundation of these characteristics through propaganda methods present in various aspects of daily life
Youth Groups and the Opera Nazionale Balilla --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMAGE, ABOVE: A fascist youth group marching down Via dell'Impero, 1934. This parade and others like it served to visually unite the future of the Fascist empire with the prowess and history of ancient Rome.
Source ASIL: I balilla moschettieri sfilano lungo via dell'Impero - 24.05.1934
Precede i balilla, di spalle, un ufficiale della milizia in ruolo all'ONB. Sulla sinistra, altri balilla schierati lungo via dell'Impero e vari spettatori. Evidente la prospettiva sui Fori Imperiali. Il Colosseo sullo sfondo; codice Foto: A00054584
Reparto Attualità : 1934Cerimonie dell'VIII Leva Fascista in via dell'Impero alla Presenza del duce
VIDEO, ABOVE: This Luce clip from 1936 shows a parade of Balilla youth celebrating the 1st decennio (first anniversary of the Fascist State) in Rome. Via Cinecittà Luce.
From its birth, Italian fascism was conceived as a victory of young over old, the future over the past. Lead fascist alligned the movement with students and youth. Once in power in 1922 the party formed the Opera Nazionale Balilla (ONB) the national youth organization for boys ages 8-14.
Local fascist leaders supervised the groups to ensure that they learned the tenets of fascism at an early age. The ONB was designed to create strong fascists in body and mind and to secure a new generation of soldiers. The organization strove to instill a sense of national pride and unity in its young members and turn the young boys into strong fascist men.
The ONB was created to replace all other political, religious or secular youth organizations. The groups focused on paramalitary and sports training, and often paraded down the streets of Rome. Balilla groups made uniformed, organized appearances at Fascist party rallies and functions.
The gender politics of the Fascist State linked women with reproduction, domesticity and the family; initally there was no corresponding Balilla youth group organized for girls. Until 1929 female youth groups, called Le Piccole Italiane (translation: Young Italian Women), were part of fascist women's auxiliary (called Fasci Femminili, or Fascist Women).
Sources: Believe, Fight, Obey, pp. 93-98
Degrazia
PHOTO, LEFT:
This fascist-era youth neighborhood center still stands and functions in the Trastevere neighborhood. The inscription above the entryway reads "NECESSARIO VINCERE, PIU NECESSARIO COMBATTERE," or, "It is necessary to win. It is more necessary to fight."
Photo by Avery Enderle Wagner, 2014.
L'Opera Nazionale Dopolavoro -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
L'Opera Nazionale Dopolavoro (National After-Working-Hours Organization, abbreviated OND) was formed by Mussolini in 1925 as a leisure facility for workers comparable to the socialist networks of cultural organizations.
The organization was put under the command of Achille Starace in the early 30's and began to place a heavy emphasis on recreational activities and sports. (1) Although typical fascist ideals placed minimal value on leisure time, intellectual pursuits in such time were far from encouraged. Instead, strength-building, military-centered recreation were heralded as necessary for a healthy life.
The OND boasted one of the largest memberships of any mass Fascist organization in each one of Italy's 7,328 communes. At the program's height, the Dopolavoro enrollment included up to 80% of all salaried workers in Italy.
The OND drew in value-conscious Italians by advertising the benefits of a membership package: participation in all OND programs; discounted travel and admission to theatre and movies; life, accident, and sickness insurance for any disability incurred while participating in OND activities; and special "social hygenic assistances" such as free legal advice, health clinics, and vacations at health resorts. (2) An article in the New York Times said of leisure in Italy, "In Fascist Italy even joy is organized."
1. De Grazia, Victoria. The Culture of Consent: Mass Organizations of Leisure in Fascist Italy. Cambridge, 1981.
2. Roselli, Bruno and Smith, Marinobell. Organized Play in Italy: After-Work ORganization Enlists People in Sports and Culture. New York Times, Dec 30, 1934. pg X11.
PHOTO, ABOVE: A Dopolavoro building on a rainy day in the Trastevere neighborhood. Fascist-era Roman-style murals can be seen above the entryway, as well as the building's inscription and the fascist eagle. The building functions today as what seems to be a theater. Photo by Avery Enderle Wagner 2014.