L'Italo-Americano

L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, JULY 11, 2024 www.italoamericano.org 4 O n July 12, 1962, t h e a i r c r a f t c a r r i e r U S S Independence e n c o u n t e r e d the Amerigo Vespucci in the central Mediterranean. T h e V e s p u c c i , t h e o l d e s t a c t i v e s h i p i n t h e w o r l d , identified itself as the "Train- ing Ship Amerigo Vespucci." The American ship stopped i t s e n g i n e s t o a d m i r e i t s beauty and saluted it with the historic phrase: "You are the most beautiful ship in the world." Sixty years later, another American aircraft carrier, the U S S G e o r g e H . W . B u s h , c r o s s e d p a t h s w i t h t h e Vespucci on its route from Manfredonia to Taranto in the lower Adriatic. The com- m a n d e r , C a p t a i n D a v i d - T a v i s P o l l a r d , a s k e d v i a radio, "Are you the Amerigo V e s p u c c i o f t h e I t a l i a n Navy?" Upon confirmation from Captain Massimiliano S i r a g u s a , t h e A m e r i c a n s responded: "After 60 years, you're still the most beauti- ful ship in the world." The Amerigo Vespucci set sail from Genoa last July to visit five continents. By the end of her trip, she'll have stopped at over 30 ports in 2 7 c o u n t r i e s , p r o m o t i n g I t a l i a n v a l u e s a n d e x c e l - l e n c e . A f t e r c r o s s i n g t h e Atlantic and sailing down t h e c o a s t s o f B r a z i l a n d Uruguay, the Vespucci took a five-month technical stop in Buenos Aires. Then, for the first time in its history, it rounded the southern tip of South America via the Strait o f M a g e l l a n , e n t e r e d t h e Pacific Ocean, and contin- ued northward. It is set to r e t u r n t o i t s b a s e i n L a S p e z i a i n F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 5 after covering about 40,000 nautical miles. The second part of the world tour started in Los Angeles last week, and will now move on to Tokyo, Dar- win, Singapore, Mumbai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Jed- dah. In each port, Villag- g i o I t a l i a w h i c h w a s a g r e a t s u c c e s s i n L A , w i l l offer a program of events, including concerts, exhibi- tions, conferences, and film screenings to immerse visi- tors in Italian culture. The training ship Vespuc- ci is serving as an ambas- sador of Italy and Made in I t a l y , p r o m o t i n g t h e m e s such as sustainability and respect for the marine envi- ronment, under the banners of UNICEF, UNESCO, and the International Maritime Organization. Her arrival Los Angeles was a signifi- cant event for the Italian community in the United States, marked by the pres- ence of Italian Ambassador Mariangela Zappia in the city of Angels. Reflecting on the ship's visit, Ambassador Zappia said that she "could- n't miss the arrival of what the US Navy calls the most beautiful ship in the world." She emphasized the impor- tance of this stop, noting that it fits perfectly with the growth diplomacy efforts of the Italian Ministry of For- eign Affairs in the United States. The Amerigo Vespuc- ci, with its blend of tradition and innovation, represents Italian excellence in art, gas- tronomy, history, and cul- ture. Zappia highlighted the ship's role as a UNICEF ves- sel and its cooperation with UNESCO on marine envi- r o n m e n t p r e s e r v a t i o n . "Technology and innova- tion, design and sustainabil- ity, alongside contemporary art and the natural heritage of our country, are showed in the Villaggio Italia next to t h e V e s p u c c i , " s h e s a i d , underscoring the immersive experiences offered to visi- tors. Ambassador Zappia a l s o u n d e r l i n e d h o w t h e visit to Los Angeles was part o f a b r o a d e r e f f o r t t o strengthen Italy-US rela- tions, which have reached a new level of quality in recent years. Along with Ambassador Z a p p i a , L o s A n g e l e s a l s o w e l c o m e d t h e I t a l i a n D e f e n s e M i n i s t e r G u i d o Crosetto; Admiral Enrico Credendino Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy; General Luca Goretti, Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force; CEO of Defense Services Luca Andreoli; Captain Giuseppe L a i , C o m m a n d e r o f t h e Amerigo Vespucci; Consul General of Italy in Los Ange- les Raffaella Valentini; Cali- fornia State Treasurer Fiona M a ; L o s A n g e l e s C o u n t y S u p e r v i s o r J a n i c e H a h n ; a n d L o s A n g e l e s D e p u t y M a y o r E r i n B r o m a g h i m . T h e D e p u t y M i n i s t e r f o r E n t e r p r i s e s a n d M a d e i n Italy, Valentino Valentini, attended the closing cere- mony of Villaggio Italia on July 8. The Italian Defense Min- ister Guido Crosetto, who was proudly present at the Amerigo Vespucci's arrival in Los Angeles, emphasized the importance of its stop in the United States. "The ship w i l l t e l l t h e w o r l d a b o u t Italy, its art, culture, history, gastronomy, industry, and science. Together with its crew, they will be ambas- The Vespucci's LA journey: a blend of tradition and innovation SILVIA NITTOLI NEWS & FEATURES TOP STORIES PEOPLE EVENTS CONTINUED TO PAGE 6 Commander Giuseppe Lai during our visit on board of the Vespucci (Photo: Silvia Nittoli)

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