(By Domenico Palesse) The sound of bagpipes accompanies the exhibition of the Qatari armed forces. The lukewarm sun of Doha is reflected on the shiny bayonets while military personnel position themselves to welcome the arrival of the Italian Navy's training vessel Amerigo Vespucci. The old lady of the seas docks and, for the first time in its 93-year-long history, stops in the Persian Gulf, officially starting the 30th leg of its world tour. "There is a lot of interest for the Vespucci in Doha", said the vessel's Captain Giuseppe Lai who, over the coming days, will 'play host' to thousands of visitors who will get on board.
After 40,352 miles since its departure in June 2023, the Navy's training vessel thus left the seas of the South to reach the Qatari capital, where it will stay until December 22 before setting sail towards Abu Dhabi for the Christmas stopover of the tour.
"It was a pleasant and calm navigation" which included "sailing for a long stretch thanks to favourable winds", said Lai.
Accompanied by the national anthem played by the Carabinieri band, the captain was greeted by representatives of Italian and local institutions present at the port before the traditional tour on board.
Tomorrow, with the official inauguration, Villaggio Italia, the itinerant expo which has reached its sixth stage, will kick off.
A rich calendar of free events will include food and art masterclasses, and a preview of the latest oeuvre by Jago, the young sculptor who has created the masterwork that accompanies the Vespucci in its world tour.
The pavilions set up at the Old Port will also host concerts and film screenings, as well as debates and conferences.
On Saturday, December 21, a delegation of the Arena of Verona will be on stage for an unprecedented musical cooperation.
The traditional date with ANSA will take place on Tuesday, with Italy's top news agency organizing a discussion with the participation of Defence Undersecretary Matteo Perego di Cremnago and Italy's ambassador to Qatar Paolo Toschi.
In Doha, the Vespucci will be meeting again its "younger sister", the catamaran "Lo Spirito di Stella", the first worldwide that is fully accessible to the disabled.
The vessel, created thanks to an idea by Andrea Stella and supported by the defence ministry, is also the protagonist of the tour around the globe, following the "most beautiful sailboat in the world".
In a very long message of inclusion, their wakes will cross paths in the Qatari capital to wish each other, once again, "fair winds".
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