Defence Ministry, Navy Sip Vespucci in Buenos Aires: Ambassador of Italian excellencies across the world

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Navy Ship Amerigo Vespucci arrived in Buenos Aires, where she will stop until 21 March. She will then continue her world tour, scheduled to end in 2025. Villaggio Italia, the Italian Village, will be installed ashore and, in conjunction with Vespucci, it will be open to the public, offering a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the excellencies of Made in Italy and merge with the Italian culture.

"The project originated from the will to join the traditional training activities of our Navy Cadets with the ship’s role as ambassador of the Italian culture at large. After 72 years, Vespucci came back to Buenos Aires for her World Tour, to promote Italy’s seamanship tradition and Made in Italy as well as a strong cultural dimension which, over the years, contributed to the growth and prestige of our Country", Undersecretary of State for Defence Matteo Perego di Cremnago underscored, on behalf on Defence Minister Guido Crosetto.

The Vespucci crew was welcomed by Argentinian civilian and military authorities and Italian Ambassador to Buenos Aires Fabrizio Lucentini. The special opportunity represented by the Buenos Aires leg of the Vespucci World Tour was underlined by the presence of Italian Minister for Tourism Daniela Santanchè, who, in addressing the guests, underscored that Vespucci, a symbol of ‘Made in Italy’ which sails the seas and oceans as a driver for the Italian economy and culture, is a unique opportunity to both promote and strengthen the “Italia” brand overseas, and create the conditions for future international cooperation also within the sector of tourism. The arrival of the sailing ship in Argentina – a nation that hosts one of the largest Italian communities – falls in the Year of Italian Tourism and Italian Roots in the World, which makes the event even more meaningful, as it can provide a significant contribution to consolidate the deep friendship between Italy and Argentina, and to increase tourism flows between the two countries.

In the evening a Talk Show, conducted by journalist and TV presenter Claudia Conte, was organized for the Argentinian public with the participation of the Italian authorities. The objectives and goals of the Vespucci World Tour, initiated and strongly supported by Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto, were illustrated, including the following legs of the Tour and Villaggio Italia presence, with stops in .Los Angeles, Tokyo, Darwin, Singapore, Mumbai, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Jeddah.

"Villaggio Italia" will host a number of Italian excellencies, living the public the opportunity to get acquainted and appreciate Italian products and services in various sectors. The objective is strengthening trade and cultural bonds between Italy and Argentina. During the Buenos Aires stop a rich event programme including concerts, exhibitions, conferences and films will be implemented, allowing the public to deepen their knowledge of Italian culture and the deep ties shared with Argentina.

"Difesa Servizi supports and firmly believes in the Amerigo Vespucci World Tour, especially as regards the realization of Villaggio Italia and the development and promotion of Made in Italy. A travelling Expo, an “Italian Bubble” where the “most beautiful ship in the world” is an interpreter and ambassador of Made in Italy: a totally Italian initiative, a unique one at the international level, which goes in the direction of identifying and enhancing the desire for all things Italian that exists at the global level", Difesa Servizi S.p.A. CEO, Dr. Luca Andreoli underscored.

The Vespucci World Tour is an initiative implemented with the collaboration of Difesa Servizi SpA,  a subsidiary of the Ministry of Defence, which supports all the phases of the campaign, with the active cooperation of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers; Ministry of Civil Protection and Maritime Policy; Ministry of Sports and Youth; Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ministry of Economy and Finance; Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy; Ministry of Tourism; Ministry of Culture; Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry; Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security.

The Navy Ship Vespucci World Tour will tour the five continents, stopping at 30 ports. During the journey the traditional Navy Cadets’ training activity will be conducted jointly with the promotion of Italian excellencies the world over.