(by correspondent Domenico Palesse)
As the sun goes down, the Darwin Convention Centre lights up
with the Italian flag.
On the walkway leading to the pier, tourists and onlookers take
turns to take a souvenir photo with the Amerigo Vespucci.
The silhouette of the sailing ship stands out on the horizon,
while thousands of visitors line up to climb aboard and admire
what is known by all as the 'most beautiful ship in the world'.
The Villaggio Italia, the traveling expo that promotes the
country's excellence, was inaugurated today to accompany the
Australian stop of the Navy training ship.
Italian and local authorities took part in the ceremony, in a
show that closed with a performance by the Folgore paratroopers,
who landed right next to the Vespucci.
The 24th stop on the world tour will offer visitors the
opportunity to participate in talks and conferences, as well as
exhibitions and film screenings.
For three days, the Darwin Convention Centre will become the
home of Italians, an agora where you can learn about and
appreciate the beauty of our country, including an immersive
exhibition dedicated to Made in Italy.
"The ties with Australia are increasingly close," said Deputy
Business and Made in Italy Minister Valentino Valentini.
"A million Italians live here who are very well integrated into
society, where there is great demand for Made in Italy products
and great collaboration in the mining sector and new green and
digital activities."
"The Amerigo Vespucci," explained the ambassador to Canberra,
Paolo Crudele, "means, first and foremost, friendship between
Italians and Australians.
"The passage of the Navy training ship means bringing the taste
of Italy here, the greatness of our production and our companies
and, at the same time, our culture."
As always, defence ministry in-house company Difesa Servizi will
manage and coordinate the Villaggio Italia.
"It is a live showcase of what Italy can demonstrate -
underlined the president, Gioacchino Alfano.
"I am proud to be able to show this to those who are here in
Australia, including many Italian emigrants, important brands
and companies of our country. "The welcome we are receiving
shows that we are a great people and a great country, but we
cannot stop here, we must all do our part".
And the affection of the Australian community towards Italy is
more than tangible.
In fact, thousands climbed aboard the Vespucci on the first day
of opening.
"A unique emotion", is the unanimous comment of those who had
the opportunity to climb aboard. There were long lines to visit
one of the last sailing ships that still sail the sea.
The Vespucci is an elderly 93-year-old 'lady' who, even today,
enchants anyone who meets her 'gaze'.
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