Neo-Fascism is alive and well in modern Italy, where a range of extremist groups and political parties celebrate the fascist history of Italy.

Frequent commemorations of the death of the Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, who is venerated as “Il Duce”, display the continuing fascination with fascism in Italy.

Each year, tens of thousands of visitors flock to see Mussolini’s tomb in the town of Predappio, in central Italy.  The New York Times reports on the neo-fascist commemorations at Mussolini’s tomb. In other parts of Italy, Mussolini calendars and fascist memorabila are readily available at news stands and in markets.  Neo-fascist political parties and social groups routinely organize rallies in public squares and streets.

Neo-fascist parties may be relatively small in Italy and many other European nations, but they are vocal and seem to be growing.  Mussolini commemorations and neo-fascist tourist activities suggest a disturbing acceptance of fascist conceptions of the past and present.