The island of Sicily, making the tip of Italy’s “boot”, is increasingly cracking down on sales of Mafia themed souvenirs, in a move to disassociate its image from criminal organisations.
Although the word “Mafia” has become associated with any criminal organisation in English, it technically only refers to the Sicilian organisation, also known as Cosa Nostra, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica, which started rising to power in the 19th century. Although, over time, authorities have run various operations including the arrest of hundreds of “mafiosi”, the Mafia continues to run on the island.
While the authorities continue in the crackdown of the Cosa Nostra, Sicily is trying to hinder its association with the criminal organisation by banning the sale of Mafia themed memorabilia. Souvenirs depicting Marlon Brando in his role as Don Corleone in The Godfather are a popular sighting, along with fridge magnets, figurines and shot glasses of little mafiosi boasting black hats and shotguns.
Last year, the regional government banned ferries that dock around the island from selling Mafia themed souvenirs in their onboard gift-shops, but the measure is now going forward, with the regional councillor in charge of transport and infrastructure, Alessandro Aricò, asking all airports to stop the sale of such items. The three airports on Sicily – Palermo, Catania and Trapani, as well as those on the tiny islands of Lampedusa and Pantelle, have all been instructed to prohibit the sale of the stereotypical knick-knacks.
“Let the sale of Mafia themed merchandise and souvenirs end in the shops and commercial areas of Sicilian airports”, Aricò said, adding that the island needs to “maintain a dignified image stripped of the usual negative stereotypes”, especially at entry points like airports.
Besides airports, the town of Agrigento is also implementing a similar ban, as it prepared to become the Italian capital of culture in 2025. Mayor Francesco Miccichè has not only ordered the ban of Mafia themed memorabilia, but also instructed police to check souvenir shops and issue fines to those not complying with the new regulation.
“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 organised crime”, Miccichè told local press.
Agrigento is a popular tourist destination on the already sought after island. Founded as a Greek colony in the 6th century BC, it is famous for its UNESCO-listed archaeological area which boasts ancient temples that are considered “to be among the most extraordinary representations of Doric architecture in the world” and “one of the most outstanding monuments of Greek art and culture”, according to UNESCO.
