The renowned Italian tall ship, the Amerigo Vespucci, has begun its first world tour in two decades, exhibiting Italy’s rich legacy.
Most Beautiful Ship
The ancient vessel, widely referred to by Italians as the world’s most beautiful ship, will host temporary expositions at several international ports displaying Italian products and culture.
The Amerigo Vespucci is a naval training ship named after the famous explorer who gave America his name. The ship was commissioned in 1931.
With an astonishing 2,700 square meters (29,000 square feet) of sails stretched over its three masts, the vessel is operated by a crew of over 260 sailors backed by additional trainees. The ship set sail from Genoa, northern Italy, in July, and its route covers over 30 ports on five continents.
The national expositions, known as the “Italy villages,” will be set up in eight selected ports. The first event will take place in Los Angeles next week.
These pavilions will include conferences, cooking shows, and exhibitions, enabling visitors to immerse themselves in Italian culture and even explore the Vespucci.
The Los Angeles event will also feature a performance by the Frecce Tricolori, the Italian Air Force’s aerobatic squad.
Worldwide Attention
Italy’s Defense Minister, Guido Crosetto, highlighted the importance of the initiative at a recent press conference.
He added that they linked Amerigo Vespucci’s history to Italy and made it a driving force for the present.
Australia, Darwin, Mumbai, Singapore, Tokyo, and others are intended to host future “Italy villages”.
The Vespucci, having completed almost half of its tour destinations, is expected to return to Italian waters in March 2025.
For the first time in its history, the ship sailed around Cape Horn, South America’s southernmost point and the closest landmass to Antarctica.
Ship commander Giuseppe Lai, speaking via video link from the vessel currently off the coast of Mexico, emphasized the responses from global communities, particularly those of Italian origin. Lai further added that Vespucci is getting all the attention of Italians worldwide.
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Source: Marineinsight
