Michela Vittoria Brambilla, Italy’s newly appointed minister for tourism, has got herself in a spot of bother. She’s being accused of using a fascist style salute during one of her recent public appearances.
Ms Brambilla is denying that her spur of the moment salute was at all fascist, but others are not so sure.
Have a look at this YouTube video of Italy’s Minister for Tourism, and judge for yourselves whether Brambilla was showing her true colours. Or was it a mere wave.
Here is the video, accompanied by the ending of the Italian national anthem.
Video of Michela Vittoria Brambilla’s Alleged Fascist Salute
I’ve watched the video several times, and can see how the very quick movement of her arm could have been interpreted as a salute. And to Michela Vittoria Brambilla‘s left, as you watch the video, there is a gentleman who could also have been accused of the dreaded fascist salute too. This person was Brambilla’s father according to an article in the Italian newspaper, La Repubblica.
Is Brambilla a closet fascist who ‘came out’ recently, or is this all a fuss about nothing? Opinions, as always, welcome.
Right, I’m off to have a look at the press releases over on the Italian tourism ministry‘s web site. I’m going to see if there is any mention of special summer camps being organised for Italy’s youth, perhaps down in a little place called Predappio.
Source:
La Brambilla e il saluto romano il video che imbarazza il ministro – “Brambilla and the Roman Salute – the video which embarrasses the minister” – La Repubblica 17th June 2009 – article in Italian.
Tracey says
C’mon. Who is she kidding? A uncontrollable arm jerk? Bit like me blaming tourette’s syndrome when I am amongst a group of prudes. And is anyone surprised she denied it? She is a Berlusconi recruit after all. Character criteria surely includes tenacity and ability to deny any accusation. Glad to finally be away from it all.
Alex Roe says
I guess you don’t fall into the ‘fuss about nothing’ category, Tracey.
When did you leave Italy?
Best,
Alex
inwin says
here is another pathetic website
http://falsoblondet.blogspot.com/
desu says
It’s called the imperial salute and it’s was always used on Italy long before the term fascism appeared with the meaning it has nowadays.
It was used ALWAYS at the end of the anthem but since the imperial salute got coined with fascism people stopped doing it because most people would think what they’re thinking now “OH MY GOD FASCISM SALUTE!!”.
Stop seeing fascism and nazism everywhere.
With a world so full of wrong-doings we worry about things that only exist because of our ethnocentric blindness.
Alex says
Hi desu,
You seem to fall into the ‘fuss about nothing’ camp!
Trouble is, what with all the furore surrounding Berlusca at the moment, the press what just waiting for an opportunity like this.
Perhaps Brambilla should have realised that this might have happened. And with the www, the chances of something ending up all over the world via the internet are very high nowadays. Politicians, and not only Italian ones, need to be aware of this, I feel.
Thanks for commenting.
Best regards,
Alex
Judith in Umbria says
A lot of sports players could be accused. It’s a gesture one sees. Most who use it have no clue it was ever Fascist.
Francesco says
It looks so pathetic, that I don’t even have comments. Seriously, a 40 years old woman who salutes with a salute of a 80 years old doctrine is simply pathetic. No evolution in Italy?
Alex says
Change happens slowly in Italy, Francesco. It seems to be a country which dwells upon the past. Sometimes this is good, other times it’s not so wonderful.
As you may have noticed, Blog from Italy’s subtitle is ‘live in the living museum’. ;.-)
Best,
Alex