"A beautiful piece of Italy arrives in Los Angeles for the first time. This historic sailing ship defined as 'the most beautiful ship in the world', not by us but by our friends in the US Navy, is a symbol of the deep friendship and alliance that unites our two countries'. Thus the Italian Ambassador to Washington, Mariagrazia Zappia, at the ceremony for the docking of the training ship Amerigo Vespucci and its crew at the Port of Los Angeles.
"The Americans love our country and we love this. It is no coincidence that we will be here tomorrow, 4 July,' Zappia continued, recalling that on the occasion of American Independence Day the Tricolour Arrows will fly over the skies of the Californian city, in the first of three performances (the others on 6 and 8 July, when the ship will set sail for Honolulu). This sailing ship, he continued, is loaded with 'the best of Made in Italy, known and appreciated all over the world, but the more we take it around and present it, the more it grows. Not only in traditional sectors, fashion, food and design, but also in those of innovation and technology, with the unique ability to combine innovation and tradition. That is why it is important to have brought the ship launched in 1931 to California for the first time: 'This is an indispensable land of innovation, technology and the desire to invest. We are talking about the fifth largest economy in the world,' he emphasised.
'They perceive us,' Zappia added, 'as one of those allies and friends you can always count on. This is a very special bond, which concerns this country's relations with very few nations in the world. Our community cements this union: 17 million American citizens have Italian origins. They perceive us as a country that can be relied upon and for what we are: a cultural superpower, the fourth most studied language in the US, and one of the top destinations for tourism and study'.
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