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The historic southern Sicilian city of Agrigento is preparing to be Italy’s 2025 Capital of Culture and has taken a controversial stance against its infamous Mafia past. In a bid to reclaim its cultural identity, the city has banned the sale of Mafia-themed souvenirs.
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The new regulations, initiated by Mayor Francesco Miccichè, are designed to minimize the city’s association with the notorious criminal organization. Founded by the Greeks in 582 BCE, Agrigento is well known for its remarkable archeological sites, including the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Valley of the Temples.
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In spite of Agrigento’s amazing ancient treasures, the city has often been linked with the sordid elements of Sicilian history. In souvenir shops, tourists have been able to purchase trinkets like magnets, t-shirts, and shot glasses emblazoned with Mafia and The Godfather references—a practice that many believe perpetuates a glamorized image of the notorious criminal organization.
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The new municipal ordinance outlaws the sale of any items that celebrate or reference the mob, emphasizing that such merchandise not only undermines the community’s efforts to promote a culture of legality but also humiliates a city striving to move beyond its troubled past.
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The Mayor told Italian press: ‘Considering that the sale of such products in the territory of Agrigento humiliates the local community, which has been committed to spreading the culture of legality for years, I order a ban on the sale of any type of object that praises, or refers in any way and form, to the mafia and organized crime.’
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Local police now have powers to inspect Agrigento’s gift shops, but it’s not yet clear how much offending businesses will be fined.
The crackdown on Mafia-themed merchandise is not limited to Agrigento itself but extends to airports and ferries throughout Sicily, where similar regulations have been put in place.
