by Domenico Palesse
When the Italian Navy's Amerigo
Vespucci training sailboat, Italy's worldwide ambassador,
reaches the port of Darwin, the city is still sleeping.
The sun peaks from the horizon and the first rays of sunlight
reflect on the freshly polished brass furniture.
The last operations take place and then the Amerigo Vespucci can
dock for the first time in its history in Darwin, Australia, for
the 24th leg of its world tour, which started 460 days ago and
has lasted, for the moment, 34,427 miles, over one and half
tours around the entire globe.
The Italian Navy's training vessel will remain at the port until
October 7 and is preparing to register the umpteenth sold out
visits on board. As of Saturday, moreover, the traditional
Villaggio Italia will open, the itinerant exhibition of Italian
excellence managed by Difesa Servizi.
The silhouette of the sailboat that symbolizes Italy in the
world stands out in the Australian sky, while cadets climb the
stairs.
On the ground, the band of the Bersaglieri pays homage to 'the
most beautiful vessel in the world' while authorities and
institutional representatives salute its arrival at the port.
The performance doesn't pass unobserved for boats sailing along
the coast as they stop so passengers can take a picture.
"Our enterprise is not just about bringing a message of the
Italian Defence around the world, the Vespucci will not only be
moving with us but with all of Italy", stressed by the
commander, Giuseppe Lai.
"There is great expectation in being here in Australia, in a
territory that is so far from Italy and so fascinating",
explained the captain who on Thursday bid farewell to the 115
cadets who completed their three months of training in Darwin.
"It was in some ways an atypical campaign", he said.
"The Vespucci campaigns for cadets are generally in northern
Europe.
"This was a campaign included in the world tour, completely in
the Pacific Ocean and in South East Asian seas.
"The cadets strongly felt they were part of a wider project in
which our training was included as part of a path that will
bring them to be the future of our armed forces.
"My wish for them is to preserve their curiosity, enthusiasm and
especially the smile they had in these past three months around
the world with the Amerigo Vespucci ship".
In the afternoon, the Bersaglieri's band performed in the
crowded Waterfront, an area that attracts tourists as well as
residents.
Starting on Saturday, the congress centre on the pier will open
its doors to inaugurate the new Villaggio Italia, the fair of
Made in Italy in the world which already, during previous
stopovers, from Lost Angeles to Tokyo, was widely celebrated by
the public.
Events, demonstrations, debates and movie screenings will turn
the Village into a point of reference of Italy in the world for
three days.
"It is an extraordinary experience because we put together the
ability of an historic and extremely beautiful vessel like the
Vespucci, which represents the Navy and Italy, with Villaggio
Italia where Made in Italy leaves the perimeter of our country
and goes towards important countries like Australia", stressed
the president of Difesa Servizi, Gioacchino Alfano.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
