The Amerigo Vespucci, “The most beautiful ship in the world”, in Los Angeles (3-8 July 2024). Next port of call: Tokyo, Japan (23-25 August). Image source: www.facebook.com/tourvespucci
July 2024 (G.T.) – The Made in Italy movement is making its way around the world, accompanying the Amerigo Vespucci – considered by many as the "most beautiful ship in the world" – on its 20-month global tour (2023-2025). In recent days, the ship has stopped off in Los Angeles, US, and the special “Villaggio Italia” (Italy Village) was set up on the dock: a travelling exhibition conceived with a view to promoting Italian excellence abroad, with all its tradition and innovation.
"The Vespucci is the ambassador of all that is beautiful in Italy", declared Defense Minister Guido Crosetto in Los Angeles, "from art to culture, to our capacity for innovation, and from industry to fashion.” Mariangela Zappia, the Italian Ambassador to the USA, was in attendance at the opening ceremony, among with high-ranking members of the civil and military authorities.
Image source: www.facebook.com/tourvespucci
"The Vespucci, which has always served as Italy’s floating embassy, docked in Los Angeles with the Villaggio Italia, placing even greater emphasis on the areas of excellence that our country is known for. It was a great success: thousands of visitors flocked to the event, and dozens of institutions and companies were involved; we received endless messages of encouragement and support both from Italy and across the globe".
Image source: www.facebook.com/tourvespucci
The “Villaggio Italia” also hosts the “Italia Geniale” exhibition, displaying iconic examples of international design and research, including symbols of Italian excellence, such as the Vespa. “ITALIA GENIALE. design enables - Beauty, originality, creativity in industrial design, appreciated universally", created by the Ministry of Enterprise and of Made in Italy and the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the ADI Design Museum, to mark the occasion of the Amerigo Vespucci World Tour. The exhibition was set up at the Los Angeles leg of the tour, and the Villaggio Italia will also appear in Tokyo, Darwin, Singapore, Mumbai, Abu-Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah and the last port, Durres, at the start of 2025.
ITALIA GENIALE IN LOS ANGELES:
www.facebook.com/tourvespucci/videos/493992033126760
"In the Expo Pavilion of the Villaggio Italia, each item has a host of stories to tell. The Vespa is a symbol of the Bella Vita, Nutella never fails to bring sweetness to breakfasts all over the world, the Ferrari is an icon of elegance and speed…these are just a few examples, along with the moka, Pirelli and many others. Each artefact epitomises the way that Italian design serves as global symbol of quality and innovation, as well as an expression of the sheer ingenuity of our masters and experts. A journey not to be missed, which takes visitors on a discovery (or rediscovery) of the Made in Italy excellence that has influenced the world". Source: www.facebook.com/tourvespucci
The Vespa Primavera is among the icons of design excellence in the “Italia Geniale-Design Enables” exhibition at the Villaggio Italia, Los Angeles, Vespucci World Tour. Image source: Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy.
The sailing ship Vespucci began its "World Tour" in July 2023, setting sail from Genoa. Over the course of 11 months of cruising, it has visited 15 of the 31 countries on the programme, docking at 18 of the 30-plus ports that will it will stop at in total. On its arrival in Los Angeles - in addition to the Vespucci’s visit to the port as an ambassador of Made in Italy in the world, dedicated to both training activities and Naval Diplomacy – the ship brings a "Multi-annual Itinerant World Exhibition" with it: the Villaggio Italia.
The ITALIA GENIALE exhibition that accompanies the Amerigo Vespucci tour is presented in Los Angeles:
www.mimit.gov.it/it/notizie-stampa/presentata-a-los-angeles-la-mostra-italia-geniale-che-accompagnera-il-tour-dellamerigo-vespucci
And it was a resounding success: a huge number of visitors stopped off at the Villaggio (who were also able to go on board and take a tour of the ship): “72,000 people came to witness the living story of the best that Italy has to offer; a country that never ceases to evolve and rediscover itself. The Los Angeles stop was a great success, and now it’s time to move on. Join us and feel part of our journey: we are telling this story together, mile after mile.”
Villaggio Italia, Los Angeles, Vespucci World Tour. Image source: Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy.
The Villaggio Italia will be present at the stops in Los Angeles, Tokyo, Darwin, Singapore, Mumbai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Jeddah, presenting visitors with an innovative, engaging space set up right next to the Vespucci herself in 8 ports. This will welcome not only Italians around the world, but also the citizens and visitors of the cities we dock at, encouraging discussion and dialogue. Finally, the stop in Durres will be the last port of call before our return to Genoa, Italy on 10 June 2025, on the day of the Navy's feast day.
OFFICIAL “TOUR VESPUCCI” WEBSITE (with link to follow the navigation):
tourvespucci.it/en
www.facebook.com/tourvespucci
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