Italy, Kingdom. A Tenth Year Fascist University Groups (Guf) Littoriali Medal

In bronze, obverse illustrating the right-facing bust of Benito Mussolini, inscribed "PRINCEPS" at the left and "IVVENTVTIS" at the right, all within a beaded border, reverse illustrating three male figures standing side-by-side and giving a salute with their right hand and holding a large fasces in their left hand, inscribed "LITTORIALI" at the left and "ANNO X" at the right, engraver marked "P.C.C.", all within a beaded border, measuring 37.5 mm (w) x 36.7 mm (h), light contact and surface wear, very fine.

Footnote: The Littoriali of Sport, Culture and Art and Labour were cultural, artistic and sporting events for university students, which took place in Italy between 1932 and 1940. The Littoriali were organized by the National Secretariat of the National Fascist Party in concert with the Fascist School of Mysticism and the provincial headquarters of the Fascist University Groups (GUF), which prepared and illustrated the themes of the demonstrations at the beginning of each academic year. Each GUF enrolled its students in the various categories, each of which was chosen through provincial selections. In the first part of the year, debates and conferences were organized regarding the issues to be addressed, then competitions were held, in which the GUFs of those cities that did not have university seats also participated. The promoters of the initiative were Alessandro Pavolini and Giuseppe Bottai , who later became responsible for the Ministry of Popular Culture and the National Education Ministry .