Amerigo Vespucci on way to Doha, Villaggio Italia opens December 17

(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 15 - After travelling 40,352 miles and taking in 29 ports, the Amerigo Vespucci is preparing to dock in Doha, Qatar, where it will stay from December 17 to 22.
    The Qatari capital will host the 30th stage of the Vespucci's world tour and the sixth stage of Villaggio Italia, the Made in Italy international exposition that brings together 'the national teams of Italian excellence' - an initiative that Defence Minister Guido Crosetto passionately wanted - and features the participation of the premier's department and 11 ministries.
    Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry Minister Francesco Lollobrigida, Defence Undersecretary Matteo Perego di Cremnago, the Italian ambassador to Qatar Paolo Toschi, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy, Admiral Giuseppe Berutti Bergotto, Luca Andreoli, the CEO of Difesa Servizi, the defence ministry's in-house company that created the initiative and supports every phase of it, are set to be at Villaggio Italia.
    During the five days it is open, Villaggio Italia will host a rich program of events dedicated to Italian culture and gastronomy, as well as the economy and the media.
    Many events have been organized by the agriculture ministry (MASAF) to promote Italian cuisine's bid to obtain UNESCO intangible heritage status.
    Great attention will be paid to disability, with discussions and meetings dedicated to the world tour of "Lo Spirito di Stella", a catamaran that is totally accessible to people with disabilities.
    An exclusive area will be dedicated to world famous Italian sculptor Jago. His marble work "family," in which three forearms intertwine and embrace in a continuous, fluid movement that takes on the ancient symbol of the Ouroboros, with each hand holding the other to create a seamless circle that shows the importance of cohesion and reciprocal belonging, will be on display in Doha.
    The traditional date with ANSA will take place on December 17, with Italy's top news agency organizing a discussion devoted to bilateral relations between the two countries.
    Institutional figures and representatives of civil society will take turns on stage.
    The news agency will then present the latest edition of its PhotoANSA book, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, aboard the Vespucci. (ANSA).