IAN SWANKIE

In Italy the two decades that Benito Mussolini was in power are referred to as “il Ventennio Fascista”. In this lecture Stuart Harvey will examine the origins of fascism and how Mussolini was able to take such total control of the Italian state, focusing particularly on his use of propaganda and symbolism from Ancient Rome. We'll also see the physical architectural changes his regime brought to Rome including the monumental building projects that came to define the “fascist style”. Much of this is still prominent in parts of Rome today. Stuart will conclude with the fall of Mussolini and some of the horrors of the Nazi occupation of Rome prior to its liberation by Allied Forces in June 1944.

Stuart Harvey

Stuart lives in Rome and describes himself as a “History and Art Communicator” with 30 years experience. He is also a London Blue Badge Guide and also a Guida Turistica Abilitata della Provincia di Roma. He has worked in educational tourism since 1992, leading study tours all over Europe. Stuart has developed a great love for the Eternal City and its many treasures. He delivered an excellent lecture for us last year on the British Grand Tour in Rome.