L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023 www.italoamericano.org 6 NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS meters (roughly 50.85 ft) in width and 82 meters (269 ft) in length, extending to 101 meters (331.4 ft) when mea- suring from the stern to the end of the bowsprit. It car- ries a fleet of 11 boats: two motorboats, two speedboats, t w o m o t o r l a u n c h e s , f o u r rowing and sailing barges for student training, and a row- i n g a n d s a i l i n g l i f e b o a t . When fully loaded, the ship has a displacement of 4,100 tons. Concerning the training aspect, embarked students a r e t a u g h t f u n d a m e n t a l marine life rules, specific skills in the seafaring sectors, the management of the ves- sel (including the use of the sextant for navigation), the operation of engine and aux- iliary systems, and the han- dling of logistical, adminis- trative, and medical issues. Launched in 1978 with the motto "It is not the begin- ning but the perseverance that counts," it embarks on its second global circumnavi- gation, following the first c o m p l e t e d b e t w e e n 2 0 0 2 a n d 2 0 0 3 . I t s j o u r n e y includes sailing through a section of the Mediterranean up to the Strait of Gibraltar, crossing the Atlantic, and moving along the coastlines of Brazil and Uruguay. It will make a five-month technical stop in Buenos Aires. Then, f o r t h e f i r s t t i m e , i t w i l l round the southern tip of the American continent, gaining access to the Pacific Ocean via the Strait of Magellan, a n d c o n t i n u e i t s v o y a g e towards Chile, Peru, Pana- ma, Mexico, and the USA. Its first stop in the USA will be Los Angeles (July 1-6, 2024, exactly a year from its depar- ture from Italy), followed by Hawaii (July 24-26). From there, it will journey through open waters towards Asia, t o u c h i n g T o k y o , M a n i l a , Darwin, Singapore, Mumbai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, through the Suez Canal, Cyprus, and finally return to its home base in La Spezia, Liguria, by February 2025. As it circum- navigates the globe, it will visit 29 countries over 20 months. These 31 stops across five continents will be a golden opportunity to promote the global recognition of Made in Italy, a venture substan- tially supported by the Ital- ian government. Initiated by D e f e n s e M i n i s t e r G u i d o Crosetto, the project is a collaborative effort involving the Presidency of the Coun- cil and ten ministries: Civil Protection and Sea Policies, Sports and Youth, Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Infrastructure a n d T r a n s p o r t , E c o n o m y and Finance, Enterprises and Made in Italy, Agricul- ture-Food Sovereignty and Forests, Environment and Energy Security, Culture, and Tourism. It's worth not- i n g t h a t f i v e m i n i s t e r s attended the Genoa ceremo- ny. "The world's most beauti- ful ship becomes an ambas- s a d o r o f o u r c o u n t r y , embodying the essence of what makes Italy one of the most invoked names world- w i d e : a n i n n a t e s e n s e o f b e a u t y , r i c h c u l t u r e , a n d unparalleled history. We are the custodians of this legacy. Wherever this ship docks, I t a l y a r r i v e s , " C r o s e t t o declared at the commence- ment of the global tour. "A myriad of emotions overlap: w e h a v e w i t n e s s e d o u r young people, both the 217 crew members and the 126 students, boarding the ship, an amalgamation that sets the ship apart. These young- sters are leaving their fami- lies today but are joining a l a r g e r f a m i l y , t h a t o f D e f e n s e a n d t h e A r m e d Forces." For the minister, the tra- ditional training mission is " a s y n e r g y e x e m p l a r : a Defense ship carrying our culture, history, innovation, and gastronomy. Everything t h a t t h e n a m e I t a l y r e s - onates when pronounced in t h e w o r l d . E v e r y t h i n g a b o a r d t h e w o r l d ' s m o s t beautiful ship will represent Italy," including "offering respect and earning friend- ship, along with innovation, are our only tools for build- ing a better future than the one we inherited." The esteemed role of rep- resenting Italy is nothing new to the illustrious ship. Over the years, the vessel has continually contributed an essential touch of splen- dor and pride, earning it the n i c k n a m e o f a " f l o a t i n g embassy." In its 92-year his- tory, it has voiced interna- tional relations, cooperation, shared values, and the pro- m o t i o n o f t h e I t a l i a n i m a g e — a s p e c t a c u l a r e m b o d i m e n t o f s o - c a l l e d "Naval Diplomacy." In its current incarnation, t h e s h i p a l s o e m b o d i e s environmental promo- tion. "The Vespucci," stated Admiral Credendino, "will navigate under the banner of UNESCO during this train- ing campaign, and when it anchors in Mexico in 2024, it will stand as a symbol of W o r l d O c e a n s D a y . " E m b o d y i n g t h e s p i r i t o f ancient maritime artistry combined with innovative e c o - f o c u s e d s y s t e m s , t h e Vespucci will carry the val- ues of the sea and oceans to distant lands. It stands for the significance of natural resources for human life and global growth, emphasizing the impact the sea has on n u m e r o u s e c o n o m i e s , a s outlined in Goal 14 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustain- able Development. This goal underscores the essential need for sustainable use and conservation of oceans and marine resources for bal- anced global development. Already a representative for UNESCO and UNICEF, Vespucci was recently hon- ored with the standard of the I n t e r n a t i o n a l M a r i t i m e O r g a n i z a t i o n . D u r i n g i t s global voyage, it will fortify partnerships within academ- ic and university contexts, particularly in the sphere of s c i e n t i f i c r e s e a r c h a n d marine protection. One of the core duties onboard will be the observation of the sea, w i t h a k e e n f o c u s o n t h e health of our oceans. Yet, at every port of call, it will primarily serve as a veri- table "Italian Village" show- c a s i n g w h a t m a k e s I t a l y r e m a r k a b l e g l o b a l l y . I n Genoa, as Admiral Credendi- no watched the magnificent vessel sail into the horizon, he pronounced, "Today, not just the Vespucci, but Italy itself sets sail." " M a d e i n I t a l y h o l d s importance not merely for us o r o u r c u r r e n t o r p a s t administrations," expressed Minister Crosetto, "but for the entire world. The name ' I t a l y ' s t i r s u p v i s i o n s o f everything from the Colosse- um to Raphael, Armani to F e r r a r i , a c o n s o r t i u m o f e x t r a o r d i n a r y a s s e t s t h a t have contributed to imbuing the name with something exceptional. This country has been telling a story of beau- ty, history, culture, and inno- v a t i o n f o r t h o u s a n d s o f years. The most beautiful ship in the world will not just d e l i v e r t h e s h i p t o e a c h nation but also Italy itself, and I can only imagine the e f f e c t i t c a n h a v e , f o r instance, when it docks in Buenos Aires, a country with 30 million people of Italian descent." Elegance, quality, exper- tise, and, of course, food, are i n t e g r a l t o t h i s v i s i o n . "Food," declared Minister for Agriculture and Food Sover- eignty Francesco Lollobrigi- da, "is a universal language t h a t c o n n e c t s p e o p l e . Through its diversity and authenticity, we can globally showcase Italian excellence and flavor. The opportunity to do this through the beauty and history of the Amerigo Vespucci is extraordinary, and we seize it with pride." Hence, during the interconti- nental journey, the endeavor will also lend its support to the proposal for Italian cui- s i n e t o b e r e c o g n i z e d a s UNESCO's intangible cultur- al heritage. The Amerigo Vespucci—often hailed as "the most beautiful ship in the world"—has the distinguished task of being Italy's ambassador to the world, promoting its art, wine, design, technology, and most importantly, its identity Continued from page 4 The crew of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, which sailed along the Amerigo Vespucci off the Spanish coast (Photo cour- tesy of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli)

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