Having departed from Genoa on July 1, 2023, the renowned vessel will remain in the Californian metropolis until July 8, offering visitors the chance to book a free tour on board and explore the “Villaggio Italia” set up at the dock.
The Villaggio Italia, spread over 12,000 square meters, features stands from Italian institutions and businesses, spaces for film screenings, art exhibitions, and a restaurant. This multi-year traveling mini-expo will accompany the Amerigo Vespucci on its 20-month world tour, promoting Italian excellence at every port of call.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by prominent figures such as Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, Ambassador Mariangela Zappia, Consul General Raffaella Valentini, Los Angeles Deputy Mayor Erin Bromaghim, and various military officials. During the ceremony, Crosetto stated: “The Vespucci has become the ambassador of everything beautiful in Italy, from art to culture, history, innovation, industry, and fashion“.
A highlight of the celebrations will be on July 4, when the Frecce Tricolori, the Italian Air Force aerobatic team, will perform over Los Angeles, repeating the show on July 6 and 8 to bid farewell to the ship as it departs for Hawaii. Ambassador Zappia emphasized the significance of the event: “The arrival of the world’s most beautiful ship in the United States… is a source of pride for us and fits perfectly into the growth diplomacy action of the Farnesina that we are carrying out in the United States along with all the actors of the Italy System“.
The local Italian-American community is celebrating. In the Los Angeles area, Southern California, and the neighboring states of Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico, there are about two million Italian-Americans and 35,000 Italians. Many of them are creatives working in the entertainment and music industry, restaurateurs, scientists, researchers, and entrepreneurs attracted to the technology and aerospace sectors.
According to consulate data, trade between the Los Angeles area and Italy exceeded $4.3 billion in 2023 ($5.6 billion considering the entire state of California), with a significantly positive balance for Italy. This reflects the importance and influence of Made in Italy in the region, now further celebrated with the presence of the Amerigo Vespucci.