Haunting Presences in Rome
EUR (Esposizione Universale Roma) is indeed a residential and business district in Rome, Italy, located south of the city center. It consists of contemporary-style constructions that serve as offices and government buildings, set within large gardens and parks.
Originally conceived in the 1930s, the site was intended to host a World Fair in 1942 to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the March on Rome and the beginning of the Fascist era. The architectural design of EUR combined elements from Italian modern rationalism with monumental architecture inspired by fascist ideology, aiming to evoke a new imperial Rome.
The Palazzo della Civiltà Italiana, also known as the "Colosseo Quadrato" or Square Coliseum, is a prime example of this architectural style. Here, the influences of Metaphysical art intermingle with the audacious visions of a reactionary dystopia. The legacy of these visions persists in the timeworn edifices and imposing statues that grace the district's white marble walls. At times, these remnants resurface , like haunting presences, within contemporary debates surrounding Italian politics and culture.
The 1942 World Fair that was planned for EUR never took place due to the outbreak of the Second World War. Despite this, the district stands as a testament to the architectural and ideological ambitions of that era and continues to be a significant part of Rome's urban landscape.
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