Casapound's Publisher Barred from Turin Book Fair Amid Political Crisis

The Turin Book Fair (Salone del Libro di Torino) excluded Altaforte, a publisher linked to the far-right group Casapound, after public outcry. The controversy erupted when figures like writer Christian Raimo, collective Wu Ming, historian Carlo Ginzburg, cartoonist Zerocalcare, the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Museum, and Holocaust survivor Halina Birenbaum threatened to boycott the fair if Altaforte participated. The publisher, run by Francesco Polacchi, a Casapound leader with a criminal record for brawling and assault, promotes fascist ideology. Turin Mayor Chiara Appendino and Piedmont Governor Sergio Chiamparino filed a complaint against Polacchi for fascist apology, leading to the contract's cancellation. The fair, supported by public institutions including the Piedmont Region, City of Turin, and Ministry of Cultural Heritage, is considered a public space. The incident highlights Italy's unresolved fascist past and current political tensions, with Interior Minister Matteo Salvini criticized for his association with Polacchi and far-right rhetoric. The publisher gained significant visibility, claiming three days of revenue equal to four years. The debate underscores the challenge of balancing free speech with anti-fascist principles under Italy's Constitution and the 1952 Scelba Law.