Capital of Culture despite Mafia influence As prepares to become s culture capital in 2025, local authorities have banned the sale of Mafia-related souvenirs to highlight archaeological and architectural riches instead. The Sicilian countryside is known for its Mafia heritage; the latest case has been the police detainment of seven people connected to organised crimes and it has for years, faced cases of narcotrafficking, kidnapping, and extortion. Most Read on Euro Weekly News Despite its reputation, it ́s set to become the 2025 Italian Culture Capital.
Shifting the focus away from the controversy, Agrigento police have now been authorised to inspect gift and tourist shops and issue fines (currently unreported in price) to shop sellers who offer products related to the Mafia. Local souvenir shops typically show a wide range of Mafia-themed items, from magnets and t-shirts to shot glasses and images of Sicilians in traditional dress holding the “lupara” (a sawn-off shotgun). Agrigento mayor Francesco Micciche stated his target was to cancel the glamorisation of the Mafia, despite its heavy influence on local society.
“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,” said Micciche to the local Press. Capital of Cult.