ZURICH, Jan 15 (Reuters) - A Swiss university is hosting an exhibition about its controversial award of an honorary doctorate to Italian dictator Benito Mussolini, bringing the connections between his fascist government and Swiss society in the 1930s to the forefront.
"Doctor Mussolini- a delicate past" delves into the circumstances surrounding the honorary degree conferred on the fascist leader by the University of Lausanne in 1937, a decision that remains unrevoked to this day.
The exhibition sheds light on the reasons behind the university's tribute to Mussolini, the founder of Italy's fascist regime and an ally to Nazi leader Adolf Hitler during World War Two.
Mussolini, known as "Il Duce," was recognized "for having conceived and implemented in his country a social organization... that will have a lasting impact on history," stated the citation for the honorary doctorate.
In April 1937, following his military's use of mustard gas during the invasion of Ethiopia, Mussolini was bestowed with the honor.
"It was an erroneous and disgraceful choice by the university," remarked Olga Canton Caro, the organizer of the exhibition, which will be on display until September. "The university was fully aware of Mussolini's crimes and ruthlessness at that time."
Canton Caro highlighted the significant affinity between certain academics at the university and Mussolini, who had briefly studied there in 1904.
During the 1930s, numerous business leaders and academics admired Mussolini due to his stance against communism and efforts to modernize Italy and bolster its armed forces.
"There existed a strong connection with the city of Lausanne, which served as a hub of fascism in the French-speaking region of Switzerland, with numerous organizations funded by Mussolini's government," pointed out Canton Caro.
Despite facing opposition from multiple students and academics in 1937, the controversial award was never rescinded.
Ongoing protests against the decision spanning into recent years prompted a 2022 commission to investigate the matter, leading to the university admitting it had "failed in its mission and academic principles."
The display, which includes a replica of the honorary certificate and other pertinent documents, is part of the university's initiative to openly discuss and raise awareness on this issue.
"In lieu of disregarding or erasing this event from its history, the university administration intends for it to serve as a lasting cautionary tale," the university expressed in 2022.