Latest news with #Vespucci
Euronews
29-05-2025
- Euronews
The Vespucci promotes Italy on worldwide and Mediterranean tours
After successfully completing an around-the-world voyage, the Italian navy's Amerigo Vespucci is now on a tour of its home country's main ports. The vessel left Genoa on 1 July 2023 and returned to Italy almost two years later, reaching Trieste in March. Once it reached home, it began an 18-stage tour that will finish on 10 June. This journey includes stops in Italy's largest ports as well as others in Durres, Albania, and Valletta, Malta. As with the world tour, the Mediterranean leg will see the ship — which is named after a famous explorer — promote an immersive exhibition called Italy Village. Set up in the ports that the ship visits, the exhibition will tell visitors about the boat's mission, Italian culture and the strength of the sea as a symbol of union. On routes between Brindisi and Reggio Calabria and between Livorno and Genoa, cadets of the First Class of the Naval Academy spent time on the Vespucci as part of their training programme. Young sailors aged between 12 and 17 were also onboard, thanks to a collaboration with the Italian Sailing Federation. Captain Giuseppe Lai personally benefitted from such an experience when he was young. Long before commanding the Vespucci on its second round-the-world voyage, he sailed on it as a student. "At the Naval Academy, the campaign on the Vespucci is done at the end of the first year," he told Euronews. "For me, as for all my classmates, it was the first time we went on a ship and lived life onboard. Going back there as a captain makes you relive some of the same emotions, because it is a ship that has remained crystallised in its aesthetics, almost identical to when it was launched," the captain said. "Seeing the trainees on board today made me go back in time, and it is a strong incentive to pass on to them those lessons that each of us has absorbed in our careers," he added. On its world tour, the Vespucci travelled to 30 countries in 20 months, with over 400,000 visitors coming onboard. "A round-the-world voyage aboard the Vespucci is probably the most beautiful experience a navy commander can have," Lai continued. "In its 94-year history, the ship has only been round the world twice. It is a unique feat, and an enormous privilege: it allows you to discover other cultures and, at the same time, to make Italy known to the world," he said. Built in 1930 in the Regio Cantiere Navale di Castellammare di Stabia shipyard and launched in February 1931, the Vespucci entered service in the Regia Marina a few months later. Ever since, she has trained Italy naval officers and represented Italy in the world. The ship's motto, which is engraved on the stern, is now proverbial: 'Not he who begins but he who perseveres'. The Vespucci is 101-metres long and over 15-metres wide with three masts and 2,635-square metres of sails. The hull is made of steel, the decks of teak and the interior of precious woods. A major modernisation was completed in 2016, equipping it with a new diesel-electric propulsion system. Whenever possible, however, it is still the wind that propels her. At 94-years-old, she is now the Italian navy's longest serving ship. France has signed a cultural partnership with Indonesia, with an emphasis on preserving cultural heritage and the development of human resources. The new pact also includes promotion of cultural products such as films, music and textiles and encourages collaboration between cultural institutions in both countries. "We aim to enhance cultural dialogue between the two nations, particularly by engaging younger generations and contemporary cultural practitioners," said Indonesia's Minister of Culture Fadli Zon. The Franco-Indonesian relations agreement also covers museum development and archival digitisation and serves as "an operational framework to implement the cultural vision" of both countries' leaders, the culture ministry said. Initiatives set to be launched under the agreement include the Indonesia–France Film Lab and the Borobudur Cultural Centre. "Through an inclusive approach, we hope to generate both cultural and economic added value for our nations," Fadli said. The deal was signed as French President Emmanuel Macron wrapped up his state visit to Indonesia, which ended with a tour of Borobudur Temple, one of the world's largest Buddhist monuments, alongside President Prabowo Subianto. Macron, currently on a week-long diplomatic tour of Southeast Asia, arrived in Indonesia with First Lady Brigitte Macron on Tuesday evening, the second stop of his tour after Vietnam. On arrival, Macron had warm words for Indonesia's leader, describing him as a brother and "a great friend of mine". Military cooperation between Indonesia, Southeast Asia's largest economy, and France has grown in recent years, starting in 2019 when Subianto became defence minister. Indonesia finalised an order for 42 French Dassault Rafale fighter jets in January 2024, with the first delivery expected in early 2026. The Asian nation also announced the purchase of two French Scorpene Evolved submarines and 13 Thales ground control interception radars. Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin told reporters after welcoming Macron that the visit was aimed at strengthening "defence cooperation between Indonesia and France." Macron ends his tour in Singapore, where he's expected to speak at Asia's top defence conference, the annual Shangri-La Dialogue.
Boston Globe
16-02-2025
- General
- Boston Globe
As a meteorologist, I couldn't do my job without maps and names of places. One stands out. Sort of.
During the early part of the 16th-century, German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller created a map putting a Latinized version of Amerigo Vespucci's name on a piece of land that had been inhabited for centuries by hundreds of indigenous nations. It's generally accepted that Vespucci figured out the continent we live on was separate from Asia, so the Italian got the honor, thus the name 'America' was born. Advertisement Ironically, Vespucci, of course, wasn't an American. That wouldn't be possible for another 283 years when the Naturalization Act was passed. If Native Americans had labeled a map of the same place we now live in, it would have probably seen the name 'Turtle Island,' based on their deep spiritual beliefs and a respect of the relationship between all living things and the connectedness of which we are a part. The warm waters bordered by the United States, Mexico, and Cuba provide immense latent heat for hurricanes, and some of our biggest storms here in New England. Is a new political label on a map going to make forecasting better? Will any name slow down our warming climate or lessen the impacts of more intense storms? Advertisement I'll leave the political winds to those actors and stick to doing my best to let you know whether you need a shovel, an umbrella, or sunscreen.
CairoScene
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Italy's Historic Naval Ship 'Amerigo Vespucci' Stops in Alexandria
This marks the first visit for the naval ship to Egypt in over 90 years. Feb 15, 2025 Italy's historic naval ship, Amerigo Vespucci, is making a stop in Alexandria, where it will hold a special event, titled 'Vespucci meets Egypt', on February 15th. First built in the 1930s, Amerigo Vespucci is touring around the Mediterranean, with Alexandria being the first of its many stops before sailing away on February 17th. This marks the first visit for the naval ship to Egypt in over 90 years. The event, starting at 5:30 PM, invites guests to indulge in food and wine, enjoy a selection of classic Italian reading passages, and listen to musical performances conducted by both Egyptian and Italian sopranos, as well as maestro pianist Francis De Poli. The event will also feature a tasting of a farmer's market ice cream recently launched in Alexandria under Egypt's Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation. The naval ship is destined to tour around 14 cities in total, with only two countries – Egypt and Albania – outside of Italy itself. Previously featured in Italy's Eurovision, the naval ship is named after Italian explorer and navigator Amerigo Vespucci, whose name was also given to the American continents.
Roya News
06-02-2025
- Roya News
Historic Italian ship docks in Aqaba
The historic Italian training ship 'Amerigo Vespucci' arrived in Aqaba on Thursday as part of its global tour, marking its first visit to Jordan and its 34th stop before returning to the Mediterranean – according to the Jordan News Agency (Petra). Officials, including Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority Vice President Hamza Al-Haj Hassan, Aqaba Governor Khaled Al-Hajjaj, Italian Ambassador Luciano Pezzotti, and Royal Jordanian Navy Commander in Aqaba Colonel Hisham Al-Jarrah, welcomed the vessel and its crew. Haj Hassan highlighted the visit as a testament to the strong ties between Jordan and Italy, noting that the ship will open to the public on Friday, offering a glimpse into Italy's rich maritime heritage – in statements cited by Petra. He emphasized the significance of such events in boosting tourism and investment in Aqaba, particularly from European markets. Symbol of Italian maritime tradition Italian Ambassador Pezzotti described 'Vespucci' as a vessel with over 90 years of maritime tradition, embodying Italy's global legacy. He noted that its worldwide tour serves both as a training mission for naval cadets and a promotion of Italian craftsmanship and heritage. As Vespucci nears the end of its journey, the Italian envoy praised Jordan's warm reception, reflecting the strong bilateral relations between the two nations.
Arab News
27-01-2025
- Arab News
From Genoa to Jeddah: Italian vessel docks to grand welcome
JEDDAH: The Amerigo Vespucci, a historic training ship of the Italian Navy, docked at the Jeddah Yacht Club and Marina on Monday morning, where it will be open to the public until Jan. 30. The ship is on the 33rd stage of its two-year world tour, which began on July 1, 2023, from the Port of Genoa, Italy, traversing five continents, 30 counties and 35 ports before its return to the Mediterranean. The ship is named in honor of Amerigo Vespucci, the Italian explorer from the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Vespucci was among the first to understand that the lands Christopher Columbus reached in 1492 were not part of Asia but rather a separate continent, which was later named America in his honor by the German cartographer Martin Waldseemuller in 1507. The inaugural ceremony of the Villaggio Italy in Jeddah, which also kicked off visits on board the 93-year-old ship, took place in the presence of Saudi Assistant Minister of Defense Talal bin Abdullah Al-Otaibi, as well as Italian Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto and Chief of Staff of the Navy Adm. Enrico Credendino. Also present at the ceremony were Ambassador of Italy to Saudi Arabia Carlo Baldocci; Minister of Tourism Daniela Santanche; Minister for Disabilities Alessandra Locatelli; Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Made in Italy Valentino Valentini; Undersecretary of State for Defense Matteo Perego di Cremnago; Undersecretary of State for Defense Isabella Rauti; and Consul General of Italy in Jeddah Leonardo Costa. Marking the latest stop on the ship's world tour, Crosetto said: 'This is not an easy ship because it did not rely on modern technology but relied on human skills. 'We are very proud of this ship, and we are happy to share our journey with our Saudi friends.' He paid tribute to the long friendship between the Saudi and Italian people: 'This is a testament (to) the growing relationship between the two countries, the growing ties in the fields of politics and diplomacy, economics, security and defense, culture, science, sports and much more.' Al-Otaibi welcomed the Amerigo Vespucci to Jeddah and expressed Saudi Arabia's appreciation for this gesture, acknowledging the significance of the event in promoting peace, security, and cooperation. He noted that the arrival of the ship underscores the commitment of both nations to expanding their naval partnership and reflects a broader effort to enhance diplomatic and military ties. Speaking to Arab News, Costa said: 'The Amerigo Vespucci's visit to Jeddah reflects the enduring friendship between our nations. We are honored to share Italy's naval legacy with the people of Saudi Arabia. 'It is not only that we are sharing the arrival of the Amerigo Vespucci ship but we (are) also sharing our culture, art, music, food and history at the Italian Village, which will be open to (the) public starting Tuesday,' he added. 'Therefore, I encourage everyone to take advantage of this unique chance to step aboard one of the world's most iconic ships.' After 19 months on board the Amerigo Vespucci, Capt. Giuseppe Lai, commander of the ship, told Arab News that it has been a challenging journey: 'We are so proud to reach our 33rd stage here in Jeddah for the first time. 'We are very proud to show the value and history of Italy, but at the same (time), we are pleased to learn more about other cultures and know other people.' He noted that the ship is scheduled to complete the tour on June 10. Following stops in Los Angeles, Tokyo, Darwin, Singapore, Mumbai, Doha, Oman and Abu Dhabi, the Villaggio Italia will be hosted, together with the Amerigo Vespucci, at the Jeddah Yacht Club and Marina. Villaggio Italia is an international exposition showcasing Italy's finest products and industries, reinforcing the country's values and promoting its culture globally. As part of its Jeddah stopover on an ongoing world tour, the 1930-built ship is hosting a series of engaging events including a painting competition, film screenings, and a concert by the Italian Air Force band. On-board visits will be available from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, as well as a morning slot from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
