The Ministry of Popular Culture (, commonly abbreviated to MinCulPop) was a ministry of the Italian government from 1937 to 1944.
History It was established by the Fascist government in 1922 as the Press Office of the Presidency of the Council, before being renamed to Press Office of the Head of Government in 1925. In 1934 it became the Secretariat for Press and Propaganda. It became a ministry in 1935 and was given its definitive designation in 1937.Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany: the 'fascist' style of rule By Alexander J. De Grand During its existence, it controlled most of the literary and radio channels in Italy.Ezra Pound: the tragic years, 1925-1972 By James J. Wilhelm It was the Italian analogue of the German Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda.
The Ministry financed various Fascist publications, including La Difesa della Razza. It famously outlawed the importation and translation of all American comic books, with the lone exception of Mickey Mouse, in 1938."Eccetto topolino" di F. Gadducci, L. Gori, S. Lama - Il Foglio.it › Una fogliata di libri
The Ministry was officially suppressed by the Kingdom of Italy on 3 July 1944, having remained vacant ever since the overthrow of Benito Mussolini in the 25 Luglio coup a year earlier. During the Italian Social Republic, Mussolini revived the Ministry of Popular Culture and appointed Ferdinando Mezzasoma as its head.
List of ministers Kingdom of Italy Parties
Coalitions
Portrait Name(Born–Died) Term of office Party Government Took officeLeft officeTime in office Minister of Press and PropagandaGaleazzo Ciano23 June 193511 June 1936 National Fascist PartyMussoliniDino Alfieri11 June 1936 27 May 1937 National Fascist Party Minister of Popular CultureDino Alfieri27 May 193731 October 1939 National Fascist PartyMussoliniAlessandro Pavolini31 October 19396 February 1943 National Fascist PartyGaetano Polverelli6 February 194325 July 1943 National Fascist Party
Italian Social Republic Parties
Coalitions
Portrait Name(Born–Died) Term of office Party Government Took officeLeft officeTime in office Minister of Popular CultureFerdinando Mezzasoma23 September 194325 April 1945 Republican Fascist PartyMussolini
See also Propaganda of Fascist Italy Censorship in Italy Reichs Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda
References
Further reading