Massimo Ciavarro has declared Lampedusa an independent maritime republic and appointed himself its sole admiral, ordering every one of the island's residents into a matching white sailor uniform with a black pom-pom beret by the end of the month.
The actor, who has lived on the island almost year-round since 2004, announced the measure from a small boat anchored just offshore, explaining that he had never dreamed of acting and was happiest alone on a barchetta, but that the island's 6,000 permanent residents had left him no choice but to formalize what he called «the only sensible administrative unit in the Mediterranean».
Under the decree, all fishing boats must now fly a pennant bearing his profile, the town's three cafés have been converted into a naval academy, and every resident over the age of six is required to salute the harbor at noon. Tourists arriving by ferry are issued a temporary rank and a whistle.
«I did not want any of this», Ciavarro said, adjusting his admiral's cap. «But someone has to inspect the coastline, and I am the only one who lives here almost all year.»
By Thursday, the island's entire population had been divided into four watches, a lighthouse keeper had been promoted to rear admiral, and Ciavarro was reportedly rehearsing a single-man flag ceremony to be held every morning at dawn, weather permitting.