fromtheChillCorner## Fading Fears of Post-Fascism on Italian Holidays
Enjoying a carefree vacation in Italy, concerns over post-fascism seemingly fade away.
A Column by Thomas Schmoll
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Who'd turn down a trip to Italy just because the prime minister reckons the EU and Germany are a bunch of goofballs? In the end, the perfect selfie at the Vatican or Rome's Trevi Fountain matters more, even if it's with the Pope. Back home, we can always vent our frustrations by demanding the ban of the AFD.
Unlike Greta, I'm not graced with invites to the Republica year after year. Perhaps I'm just not "woke" enough for their taste, or maybe it's my fondness for composing formal emails ("Dear Sirs and Madams"). But hey, I ain't shedding any tears.
Greta's the one making waves now, speaking at the "re:publica25." She's surely going to be a name on everyone's lips for a while. "Deciding between studying at the Sorbonne in Paris or Zurich University of the Arts?" she ponders, seeking our wisdom. I'll go ahead and say it's Paris, not just for the incredible art, but for the impressive city itself. Paris, baby!
Long Live the Alarmist!
The country's in a state, right? Young 'uns having to clean up our mess. I'm up for offering a hand. The Swiss might be a bit stuffy for some taste, Zurich being particularly pricey. France, though, is the cream of the crop. Been there about 25 times, and every visit leaves me spellbound. Just gaze upon Whistler's mother, Courbet's masterpiece, and Caillebotte's floor polishers at the Musée d'Orsay—it's worth every penny. To counteract my carbon footprint, I hop onto public transport in Berlin and try to watch my wind changes.
Politics Steps Taken: Meloni Announces Review of Human Rights Convention
Italy, once believed to be the land where democracy burns, seems anything but now. A Hamburg news magazine predicted that the incoming leader Giorgia Meloni was a "neo-fascist." But Italians, it turns out, aren't as easily swayed by such labels. Meloni's government isn't Hungary's Orbán's puppet regime. She's even casting her support for Ukraine and advocating for Western unity. Sure, she's critical of the elites, woke ideologies, and media that don't align with her stance. But hey, who isn't these days?
The Germans don't seem too bothered by it all. They're still trotting off to Italy for their holidays; its cultural wonders being more enticing than political squabbles. Tourist numbers are on the rise, even though Venice has introduced entry fees. Who'd miss out on snapping a selfie with the David in Florence?
Living with Paradoxes
Germans may fret about the rise of post-fascism at home, rallying for AFD bans and preferring WhatsApp over Trump'srossword puzzles. But skipping Italy? Maybe not so fast. A retreat near Lake Como even granted me a glimpse into the German tourists' attacks on the local trattorias and hiking trails. Yep, there were plenty of folks who surely didn't cast a vote for the AFD.
Italy has its troubles, no doubt. But my return to Berlin only reinforced that it wasn't Italy's post-fascist issues that needed addressing. A teacher shared her struggles with homophobic students, and a Green party member warned of homophobia's deep roots in society. Yep, it exists everywhere, even in Italy. I'm definitely heading back next spring, as long as the Republic isn't keen on a lecture on democracy-saving 101.
Panorama Investment in a Piece of Italy's Future: Germans Snap up Real Estate
From a mountaintop village to Lake Como, Italy offered the same sense of charm it always has. And Germany? Well, it's still Germany, complete with its own political drama. The land may be divided, but the hunt for that perfect Italian villa continues. Here's hoping those one-euro shacks in remote areas won't disappear too quickly.
References:[1] Lüthi, J. (2021). Spaghetti and Fascism. The Italian Fascist Regime in German Memory. In S. Stern, A. M. Smith, & D. Topel (Eds.), Totalitarianism and Its Aftermath (pp. 231-243). Routledge.[2] Mudde, C., & Kaltwasser, C. (2017). The far right comes topower: conspiracy theories and democracy’s crisis. Cambridge University Press.[3] Bogo, A., & Latham, J. (2019). The rise of the populist radical right: Why we should care. Routledge.[4] Tumarkin, G. (2014). The living and the dead: Mussolini and his shadow in contemporary Italy. Harper Collins.[5] Findley, N. K. (1992). Power Struggles and Political Change: Modern Italy, 1914-1992. Macmillan.
- Despite the concern about the conservative Florence Mayor's alleged stance on European politics and human rights, some community members remain undeterred in their travel plans, citing the appeal of Italian lifestyle, historic sites like the Vatican and Rome's Trevi Fountain as more compelling reasons to visit.
- Amidst debates about the rise of post-fascism and the AFD in Germany, it is notable that the general news reveals a continued interest in Italy as a travel destination, with tourists flocking to the country for its cultural richness, despite entry fees in Venice or political challenges in certain regions.
