Ministry of Popular Culture

The Ministry of Popular Culture (Italian: Ministero della Cultura Popolare, commonly abbreviated to MinCulPop) was a ministry of the Italian government from 1937 to 1944. 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.[1] During its existence, it controlled most of the literary and radio channels in Italy.[2] It was the Italian analogue of the German Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda.

Minister of Popular Culture
Ministero della cultura popolare
Longest serving
Dino Alfieri
11 June 1936–31 October 1939
AbbreviationMinCulPop
Member ofCouncil of Ministers
Reports toPrime Minister
SeatRome
Term lengthNo fixed term
Formation23 June 1935 (1935-06-23)
First holderGaleazzo Ciano
Final holderFernando Mezzasoma
Abolished25 April 1945 (1945-04-25)

The Ministry famously outlawed the importation and translation of all American comic books, with the lone exception of Mickey Mouse, in 1938.[3]

The Ministry was officially suppressed by the Kingdom of Italy on July 3, 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
Portrait Name
(Born–Died)		 Took office Left office Time in office Political Party
Minister of Press and Propaganda
Ciano, GaleazzoGaleazzo Ciano
(1903–1944)		23 June 193511 June 1936354 days National Fascist Party
Alfieri, DinoDino Alfieri
(1886–1966)		11 June 193627 May 1937350 days National Fascist Party
Minister of Popular Culture
Alfieri, DinoDino Alfieri
(1886–1966)		27 May 193731 October 19392 years, 157 days National Fascist Party
Pavolini, AlessandroAlessandro Pavolini
(1903–1945)		31 October 19396 February 19433 years, 98 days National Fascist Party
Polverelli, GaetanoGaetano Polverelli
(1886–1960)		6 February 194325 July 1943169 days National Fascist Party
Mezzasoma, FernandoFernando Mezzasoma
(1907–1945)		23 September 194325 April 19451 year, 274 days National Fascist Party

See also

References
  1. Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany: the 'fascist' style of rule By Alexander J. De Grand
  2. Ezra Pound: the tragic years, 1925-1972 By James J. Wilhelm
  3. "Eccetto topolino" di F. Gadducci, L. Gori, S. Lama - Il Foglio.it › Una fogliata di libri Archived 2012-01-08 at the Wayback Machine
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