The other night, the carabinieri gave a concert in the piazza. Now, there's a bunch of confusion about who these people actually ARE and why they're different from the police. In fact, there was an article on bbc.com about it just recently, as well. Frankly, even the article which purported to explain the difference ended up giving the old Italian shrug.
All the dignitaries
Here's the deal as I understand it: there is a ton of overlap as to job description and duties. However, the police are a branch of the government, and are locally based. Historically, they probably emerged from the city-states that existed before Italy (remembering that Italy as a country only dates to the 1860s). The carabinieri, on the other hand, are a branch of the military, are militarily trained, and are deliberately moved from their home town to a completely different region. This is probably an attempt to fight local organized crime in the then-new country.
Enough silver braid to finance a small war
But the real difference? Yup, the uniforms. Even when the MC was introducing them, the first thing he mentioned about the beloved carabinieri was their adorable costumes. He didn't say adorable, but it was obvious that he was thinking it.
Admit it: the hats are darling
A crowd turned out to listen!
The concert was well attended and lots of fun, with a good bit of variety. That said, I saw Orietta halfway through and we ended up going back to her shop for a late-night chat, and then to Pianegiani for a grown-up ice cream (actually served to us in dishes as we sat in the piazza, rather than being handed over the counter in a cone or paper cup)...my first one!
Looks so fabulous. Love the comments/pix of the costuming (oops, uniform!) details. So fun to see your adventure in film, too. And won't post separately about Florence's archery adventures but such terrific fun and fab costume. Living vicariously through you all, so continue to live wonderfully well!!
Here's the deal as I understand it: there is a ton of overlap as to job description and duties. However, the police are a branch of the government, and are locally based. Historically, they probably emerged from the city-states that existed before Italy (remembering that Italy as a country only dates to the 1860s). The carabinieri, on the other hand, are a branch of the military, are militarily trained, and are deliberately moved from their home town to a completely different region. This is probably an attempt to fight local organized crime in the then-new country.
The concert was well attended and lots of fun, with a good bit of variety. That said, I saw Orietta halfway through and we ended up going back to her shop for a late-night chat, and then to Pianegiani for a grown-up ice cream (actually served to us in dishes as we sat in the piazza, rather than being handed over the counter in a cone or paper cup)...my first one!
Looks so fabulous. Love the comments/pix of the costuming (oops, uniform!) details. So fun to see your adventure in film, too. And won't post separately about Florence's archery adventures but such terrific fun and fab costume. Living vicariously through you all, so continue to live wonderfully well!!
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