Opera Nazionale Balilla

The Balilla ( Opera Nazionale Balilla ) was founded in 1926 as a youth organization of the Fascist Party in Italy. The name derives from the nickname of Giovan Battista Perassos, a youthful national hero, who is mentioned in the Italian national anthem Fratelli d' Italia as exemplary patriotic: "The children of Italy called Balilla ". The ONB 1937 of the GIL ( Gioventù Italiana del Littorio, dt: Fascist Italy's youth ) replaced. The idea of ​​Balilla was in Germany a model for the Hitler Youth.

Origin

Fascism understood itself from the outset as a counter-movement to the liberal government of Giovanni Giolitti and its institutions. In this sense, in 1919, the futurist and fascist Filippo Tommaso Marinetti the first hour had called for the establishment of new, fascist schools for physical courage and patriotism. Between 1919 and 1922, first fascist circle of students formed.

Foundation

1926 commissioned Benito Mussolini Renato Ricci the " reorganization of the youth from a moral and physical point of view ." Ricci was oriented for this task mainly due to the scouts by Robert Baden- Powell.

A law of April 3, 1926 brought the creation of the ONB, the Ricci headed for 11 years. In addition to the school, the ONB should be dedicated to the " care and the physical and moral education of youth." In the following years the fascist government dissolved all other youth organizations, only the youth of Catholic Action groups persisted because of the Concordat, had to restrict their work but.

Structure

The members of the ONB were divided into age groups:

  • Balilla (boys 8-14 years ).
  • Piccole italiane (small Italian women, girls aged 8 to 14 years ).
  • Avanguardisti ( male youth 14 to 18 years ).
  • Giovani italiane (young Italians aged between 14 and 18 years ).
  • Later, the Figli della lupa ( she-wolf children, 6 to 8 years) were added.

The demonstrations of the Balilla also included annual national meetings, which were called Campo Dux and were visited by the Avantguardisti with the best athletic performance.

Uniform

The uniform of the fascist youth was based on the Blackshirts, the fascist struggle frets, black shirt, sky blue scarf, gray - green trousers, black belt and a fez in the tradition of the Arditi. These clothes should emphasize the military character of the youth Organistation.

  • Fascism (Italy )
Italian Fascism Futurism
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