July 2026 (G.T.) – The echoes of ‘Vespa, 80 Years of an Icon - Roma 2026’ (held from 25 to 28 June 2026 at the Foro Italico) are still resonating. This unprecedented major international event celebrated the 80th birthday of a global icon over four days, and was narrated, photographed and filmed by cameras and drones from media outlets from every continent. It is an occasion that has already gone down in Vespa’s history, and hundreds upon hundreds of initiatives continue throughout the year, in Italy and abroad, dedicated to the much-loved Vespa.
(Photo: Piaggio Studios).
And there is one special Vespa lover in particular who played a leading role at the Roma 2026 event, which included the Vespa World Days 2026 global rally: Mauro Calestrini, President of the Vespa World Club (the association that unites Vespa Clubs from 67 countries). He got his first Vespa at the age of was 14, and since then it has been his ‘eternal love’.
(Photo: Piaggio Studios).
President, what were your best moments from the ‘Vespa, 80 years of an Icon – Roma 2026’ event?
“It was certainly an intense few days and we had to work very hard to get everything done, but the role of President is rewarded by moments that remain etched in your heart and memory for life - the handshake with Dr Matteo and Dr Michele Colaninno at the Stadio dei Marmi when we presented the photographic exhibition, for example, or the warmth and smiling faces of thousands of Vespa fans who demonstrated their love for the Vespa and their respect for me as their leading representative, also through gifts such as stickers, sashes, pins and T-shirts.”
On the eve of the event (Wednesday 24 June), there was also a meeting with Pope Leo XIV: how did this come about?
“It all happened thanks to my friend Benedetto Lacchè, of Vespa Club Le Ferriere in Latina, who submitted a request to His Excellency Monsignor Peter Rajic – Prefect of the Papal Household of the Vatican City – to allow a delegation from our organisation to attend the audience with the Holy Father Leo XIV scheduled for Wednesday 24 June. This led to a fantastic opportunity to present our Vespa universe, a truly inclusive global community. I was accompanied by Mr Vincenzo Vitrioli, of the Vespa Club Italy; the meeting took place in St Peter’s Square, which was, of course, wall to wall with the faithful, including a large number of Vespa enthusiasts.
Photo Service © Vatican Media - 00120 Vatican City. Plaques from the Vespa World Club and the Vespa Club of Italy presented to the Pontiff.
I presented His Holiness with a glass plaque bearing the Vespa World Club logo, and I was instantly enchanted by his kindness and curiosity when I passed on the greetings of our entire organisation, united by a single passion and under a single flag – that of the Vespa, a symbol of peace and friendship. I told him that I would ask all our members to pray for him: with a broad smile, he thanked me, which filled me with immense joy.”
You are now serving your second term as President of the VWC: has the Vespa World Club - which currently has members from 67 countries - changed, and if so, how?
“Since I took over the role of President at the end of 2021, there have been so many changes, beginning with the appointment of various individuals of the highest calibre to the Board of Directors. These people have raised the ethical and cultural standing of our association, and have proved to be great managers whose experience benefits the Vespa World Club. New members join every year: we now have representatives from 67 countries – a record high – and we are continuing to grow, with three more countries set to join us soon.”
In Rome, we saw Vespa enthusiasts of all ages representing four generations, dating back to the birth of the Vespa back in 1946. Is this still a passion that is passed down through families today?
“The Vespa has undoubtedly been a prominent symbol for millions of families in Italy and around the world for eighty years: in Rome, we saw a clear example of this, and the passion it inspires. I saw 14-year-olds arriving alongside their grandparents on their Vespas, steeped in history and glory, and scenes like that are not easy to forget. The event in Rome was truly unique, one-of-a-kind, and it demonstrated the vehicle’s ongoing vitality thanks to the new generation of automatic models: Piaggio is providing fans of the Vespa with a superb technical solution through these models, which trigger the same emotions as in the past but with a degree of comfort and safety in keeping with the times we live in.”
What advice would you give to the new generations of Vespa riders?
“To keep using the Vespa every day: be passionate and, above all, enthusiastic to learn about the amazing history of the Vespa and the Vespa phenomenon in general: when we start the engine of a Vespa, we become the protagonists of our own lives; we can travel anywhere with a sense of lightness, and above all, with the awareness that we are in the saddle of a timeless legend”.
You are a well-known collector: your collection of vintage vehicles and memorabilia has earned you the ASI (Automotoclub Storico Italiano/Italian Historical Automotoclub) plaque, awarded by the History and Museums Commission. But when did you start?
“Yes, I started my collection in 1991 with a 1951 ‘Faro basso’, and after that, I never stopped collecting Vespa models and Piaggio products in general. I’ve tracked down documents, photographs, trophies, books and everything to do with Vespa clubs and their evolution over the years. Last year, thanks to Scuderia San Martino – the club through which I am an ASI member – my collection was presented. A couple of months later, I received a welcome surprise: my application had been accepted and I was awarded the ASI plaque I’d been dreaming of for so long.”
https://asimusei.it/museo/collezione-mauro-calestrini/
Which vehicles from your collection did you choose to show at the ‘Vespa – The Exhibition’ at the Stadio dei Marmi?
“I was contacted by Mr. Riccardo Costagliola, President of the Piaggio Foundation, about this event - he is a dear friend of mine, and he asked me if I could bring my Vespa MP6 98cc to Rome so as not to deprive the Pontedera Museum of its most prestigious exhibit, given the large number of Vespa enthusiasts travelling to Rome who would also visit the museum. I was happy to accept his request and lent him my scooter; it certainly looked the part.”
You are an entrepreneur from Carpi with many commitments both at home and abroad, and you’re also President not only of the VWC but also of the Vespa Club Carpi. What’s your secret to managing it all?
“There’s no doubt that the role of President is a major commitment, but I’ve always managed to balance all my club responsibilities with those of my company, which often takes me all over the world. Now that many meetings are held online, it’s much easier than it used to be: I’ve even held a Board meeting at Dubai Airport whilst waiting to board another flight…”
What are the next international events starring the Vespa?
“Vespa and its community of fans never stop: the Vespa World Club still has a few Vespa Rally stages planned for this year, and we’re already working on the Vespa World Days 2027 in Albania. We’re working to bring in new member countries and assessing whether they meet the necessary criteria, and we’re also looking at potential venues for the VWD in 2028 and 2029.”
And finally, President Calestrini adds: “Roma 2026 was the greatest honour anyone in my current role could ever receive: I was moved by the fact that it allowed me to reconnect with friends I hadn’t seen in a long time, people who, over the years, have helped shape the history of organised Vespa fandom and who have expressed their gratitude for the work I’ve done with real humility and sincerity, all whilst encouraging me to keep it up. The most beautiful description I've ever heard was being called a ‘President of Peace’.”
(Photos and video clips courtesy of Mauro Calestrini. Our thanks go to Alessandro Lanzarini, Vespa Club Italy, for his collaboration).
The world of Vespa clubs truly represents a global community, one that is genuinely inclusive (of age, gender, political views, social class…) and united by a single shared passion - the Vespa. Long-time Vespa fans and travellers know this well, and young people are discovering it too. Wherever you are in the world, knock on the door of a Vespa Club, and you’ll be made to feel right at home.
(Photo: Piaggio Studios).
Next international event: Vespa World Days 2027 in Durrës, Albania, May 2027.
Vespa Club Albania:
https://www.facebook.com/vespaclubalbaniaofficial
Vespa Club Epidamn:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556915112577
Vespa World Club:
https://vespaworldclub.org/
https://www.facebook.com/VespaWorldClub
https://www.facebook.com/vespatrophy/
https://www.instagram.com/vespatrophy
