Los Angeles to Durres, voyage of Italy's iconic sail ship

(ANSA) - ROME, AUG 23 - The Amerigo Vespucci, the Italian navy's historic sailing ship and cadet school, a guardian of the oldest naval and seafaring traditions for over 90 years, is one of the best-known symbols of Italy in the world.
    The initiative of the World Tour, a strong desire of Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, combines the traditional training activity of the navy cadets and the promotion of the top elements of Made in Italy in the ports in which the mission will lay anchor.
    Other participants in the ambitious project are: the Italian premier's office, with the civil protection and seas policy minister and the sports and youth minister, the ministry for foreign affairs and international cooperation, the ministry of the economy and finances, the transport and infrastructure ministry, the business and Made in Italy ministry, the ministry of agriculture, food sovereignty and forestry, the ministry of the environment and energy security, the culture ministry and the tourism ministry.
    During the tour, the 'Villagio Italia' Italy Village has been set up, to combine the activities of the various ministries involved so that the voyage around the world is, as well as a united expression of the values of a whole nation, also a showcase for Made in Italy and a propulsive element for our economy and the dissemination of our culture too.
    It is also an important opportunity for Italian businesses. The Vespucci is the emblem of the Navy and of Italy itself: it embodies the excellence of Made in Italy, in the path marked out by naval traditions, and a strong Italian cultural dimension which over the years has contributed to the growth of the country's prestige. The Amerigo Vespucci and Italy Village are taking around the world the culture, history, innovation, food and wine, science, research, technology and industry that make Italy a very great country, admired and respected the world over.
    The initiative has been set up in collaboration with Difesa Servizi SpA, the defence ministry unit that will support all the phases of the campaign.
    The Amerigo Vespucci set off from Genoa in July 2023 on its World Tour that in two years will see it travel to 31 countries visiting over 30 ports in five continents.
    Starting with the stop in Los Angeles, in early July 2024, in certain ports the World Tour will see the Vespucci, already ambassador for Made in Italy to the world and engaged not only in training activities but also those of naval diplomacy, also flanked by a Multi-Year Travelling World Exhibition (EMIP): the Italy Village. It is an international exhibition on Made in Italy that showcases "the international representatives of Italian excellence".
    In Los Angeles, Tokyo, Darwin, Singapore, Mumbai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah e Durres, Italy will therefore present itself with an innovative and engrossing space through which it dialogues, hosts and welcomes not only Italians around the world, but also the citizens and visitors of the cities reached by the Vespucci through the culture, creativity, research and innovation of Made in Italy, as well as sport, sustainability projects and the Italian landscape heritage. (ANSA).