From October 24 to 28, the Marina Bay Cruise Centre hosted an extraordinary celebration of Italian excellence, featuring the Villaggio Italia showcase and the majestic Amerigo Vespucci, Italy’s iconic Navy training ship. Visitors weren’t only treated to Italy’s finest offerings, they had the opportunity to step aboard one of the world’s most stunning vessels while it’s docked in Singapore.
While sailing the Mediterranean Sea in 1962, the American aircraft carrier USS Independence flashed the Amerigo Vespucci with the light signal asking: “Who are you?” The full-rigged ship answered: “Training ship Amerigo Vespucci, Italian Navy.” The Independence replied: “You are the most beautiful ship in the world.“
Discover the “Most Beautiful Ship in the World”
The Amerigo Vespucci is in the middle of its 2023-2025 World Tour across 28 countries and five continents, helmed by Captain Giuseppe Lai, who has over 30 years of maritime experience. Dubbed “the most beautiful ship in the world,” the near-century-old Amerigo Vespucci was open to the public for self-guided tours from October 24th to October 27th.
Lucky visitors had the chance to step aboard a piece of naval history, soaking in the rich traditions of seafaring and Italian craftsmanship. “The Vespucci is a UNESCO ambassador. It’s a ship from the past that speaks of the future,” said Mr. Valentino Valentini, Italian Deputy Minister for Enterprise and Made in Italy. The traditional tall ship has been thoughtfully modified to champion sustainability, with all its sails and ropes crafted from eco-friendly, plant-based materials. This modern twist on classic design embodies the “Made in Italy” ethos—innovation rooted in tradition.
Singapore and Italy share a unique connection rooted in their histories with the sea. Singapore’s ancient name, Temasek, means “city on the sea,” echoing Venice, Italy’s famed water city.
“In this part of the world, the wind has always held deep significance. Tradewinds once connected civilisations, shaping the course of history. A sailing ship, therefore, carries profound meaning. Italy, a nation that treasures and preserves art, beauty, and culture, offers the Amerigo Vespucci as a living piece of art—a vessel that both honours the past and sails toward the future,” he said.
The Amerigo Vespucci is back on the water, en route to the next stopover, Belawan (Indonesia) from 1 to 4 November. Afterwards, the sailing ship will hit Thailand, India, and the Middle East. It is expected to return to Italy in March 2025.
For more on what happened during the Singapore event, check out https://tourvespucci.it/en/singapore-24-28-october-2024/.
Experience Italy with Villaggio Italia
Alongside the Amerigo Vespucci, Villaggio Italia brought the essence of Italy right to Singapore’s shores. This multi-annual traveling exhibition will offer an immersive journey through Italy’s finest contributions to the world. These include its art, culture, music, food, and cinema, but also technology and scientific innovation.
“Italian lifestyle is based on tradition, history, and of art,” said Mr. Valentini. “And we are in the middle of a deep industrial transition and environmental transition.“
“We are proud of our traditional heritage and long history, but more than our beautiful landscapes, museums, or even food and wine, we’re also the second largest manufacturing country in Europe. We’re the fifth in the world,” said Italy’s Ambassador to Singapore, H.E. Dante Brandi. Italy is one of the leading nations in industries like pharmaceutical, packaging, and automation.
Italy is also a major player in the space sector. “Italy was the third country in the world to launch a satellite. We build, launch, and operate satellites. Today’s challenge lies in managing satellites in increasingly crowded orbits. Italy is also leveraging AI to streamline space imaging, using it to pre-process and compress images for efficient transmission back to Earth,” said Mr. Valentini.
Satellites are essential to modern life, enabling accurate weather forecasts and supporting disaster response with backup communications during emergencies when ground networks are down. In shipping and navigation, satellites ensure safe global trade routes, while the banking sector relies on them for secure, instant transactions.
Space technology is just the tip of the technological iceberg. “Italy is one of the leading nations in the world for technology, and its higher education system is attracting students around the world for degrees like engineering, astronautics, physics, and biomedicine,” said HE Dante.
While Italy is eager to showcase its innovations to the world, Villaggio Italia was a platform for the nation’s soft power which allowed visitors to connect with Italy on a personal level through art, culture, cuisine, and shared experiences.
“Made in Italy is more than just a label; it represents an identity and lifestyle that we deeply cherish. While we may indulge from time to time, we hope you can appreciate the passion and pride behind it,” remarked Mr. Valentini.
