Saturday, May 26, 2012

Certificates

Cavour, sign about certificates on-line, piazza Cavour, LivornoThe Municipality of Livorno is proudly announcing that you can get your certificates on line, but the Count of Cavour looks perplexed...
In Italy a “certificato” is an official-looking piece of paper which, usually but not always, states something related to an individual for the use of a third part. In this post we are speaking of documents issued by a municipality, so you may have a “certificato di residenza”, stating the exact address where you live or a “stato di famiglia”, listing all the cohabiting components of your family. You can even ask for a “certificato di esistenza in vita” which states that you are still alive, which may sound quite funny, but this obviously redundant piece of paper is sometimes needed when you are receiving a pension.

See also: Cavour - Piazza Cavour
External links: Camillo Benso, Count of Cavour (Wikipedia)

16 comments:

Lois Evensen said...

Certificates? As in driving license, license plates, or some other certificate?

Anonymous said...

Yes, life changed much since he has been young. Nevertheless, wonderful where alike is possible. Please have a good weekend.

Halcyon said...

What kind of certificates? Good citizenship? Maybe that's why Cavour isn't too keen on it! :)

Jack said...

I like the way you put thoughts in the minds of the statues.

Bob Crowe said...

The poor man wouldn't know a URL from a hole in the ground.

propostestefano said...

Questo e puro conflitto di competenze

VP said...

Lois - You are right, I was a bit too lazy about saying what a certificato is. I have now updated the post with a short explanation.

Karl said...

Great composition, VP !

svenske floyd said...

He can't find his identity card which he thought he had in his pocket!

Dina said...

This picture is so funny! And I think Sven is right. I want one of those certificates to prove I am alive.
Wait, does this mean you can APPLY online or that you can actually receive and then print the document?
Oi, what will become of the clerk's thump of the rubber stamp, the fancy signature, the ribbon of the apostille?

Cezar and Léia said...

Certificato di esistenza in vita is the best! Although I do understand why a government would what to see it, specially in these dire times...
God bless you!
Cezar

Luis Gomez said...

Great post VP. Love the thinking statues.

cieldequimper said...

My Dad just had to prove that he is still alive and Cavour probably snickered!

Anonymous said...

My father was in the Italian army during WW2 & I needed the living certificate so that he could get his pension, so I totally understand.~Mary

Gunn said...

Text and photo goes well together.
Times have changed, and this has got a nice composition.

Unknown said...

You made me smile with the perplexity of the Count! :-)