Ciao Bella, the Italian navy training ship Amerigo Vespucci is docked in Singapore this week from 24 to 28 October at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre. During the five days of its stay, there will be an exciting array of activities and events, and guests can venture on board to explore offerings from Italy.
The Villagio Italia, the “World Itinerant Multi-Annual Exhibition” of Italian excellence, will also be held at the same time. Singapore will be the 25th host of the Amerigo Vespucci and Villagio Italia!
Amerigo Vespucci: Board the Ship from 7.30 pm on 24th October till 6.30 pm on 27th October
Make a date this Thursday till Sunday to board the 93-year-old navy ship Amerigo Vespucci to learn what makes the custodian of the oldest naval and seafaring traditions a sight to behold. It is a near-century-old sailing ship, also an emblem of the Italian navy and ambassador of Made in Italy.
Known as the “most beautiful ship in the world,” the iconic vessel symbolises Italy’s rich heritage, culture, and maritime history, and will be arriving on Singapore’s shores for the very first time.
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For those who have successfully booked a slot to visit the ship, be prepared to be enamoured by this beauty.
This ship set sail from Genoa in July 2023 and has since gone around southern America and made its way to Asia. It is a traditional ship that uses sails and relies on the winds to navigate. It has a total of 28 sails, with the biggest one weighing 600 kg.
It has three vertical sails and one horizontal sail, with just one propeller. Yes it sails the traditional way, and took 60 days to navigate from Los Angeles to Tokyo.
Visitors will be able to see the intricate wood work, brass work and three bells on board. One can also see the 36 km of cables on board!
And if you see bells, please do not ring them! There are three bells on board, one is rung as the ship sets sail, the other indicates night shift timings and the last is only to be rung when abandoning ship.
The Amerigo Vespucci is a vessel with 250 crew members. Many of the crew members are cadets who train onboard upon graduation and are poised to join the Italian Navy.
The motto of the Amerigo Vespucci is also displayed clearly in the middle of the ship. It is a quote from none other than Leonardo Da Vinci which spurs the cadets to persevere and keep trying.
At the stern of the Amerigo Vespucci, you can check out the smaller boats hung at the side of the boat called “whale hunter” boats.
We also managed to peek at the steering wheels.
The Amerigo Vespucci’s world tour is not only a unified expression of the values of the entire nation but also a showcase of Italian excellence and supply chains, a driving force for the economy and the spread of Italian culture.
Do note that steps can be narrow, do wear comfortable shoes and watch your step. There are also ropes to look out for on the deck. Families with children must be very careful.
The “Amerigo Vespucci World Tour – Villaggio Italia” initiative, supported by Italian Government Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto, combines the traditional training activities of the Navy’s Officer Cadets on the School Ship with the promotion of Made in Italy excellence in the main ports reached through the Villaggio Italia.
The Villagio Italia at Marina Bay Cruise Centre
Stop by the Villaggio Italia. It offers visitors a unique experience to get to know the beauty of Italy through its art, culture, music, food, cinema, technology and scientific research.
Make time for a rich musical programme starting with the presence Fanfare of the Livorno Naval Academy, composed of 17 elements from various Italian conservatories and high schools of music, conducted by 1st Lieutenant Franco Impalà. Enjoy the performances every day at the Villaggio Italia.
Opera music will be the highlight of Concert “Lirica Arts – Puccini, a life in 7 women,” a collection of various pieces of music structured in the story of the tragic end of seven
protagonists of Puccini’s operas on 25th October, Friday at 11 am.
Dedicated to Italian pop music in the world is the Concert by Matilde G, a young Italian singer, author, pianist and performer who brings to her songs the mix of different cultures within which she grew up. She will perform on 26th October, Saturday, 9 pm.
Italian Baroque music will be featured in the concert “Viva Italia! Songs & Dances from Baroque Italy” by Red Dot Baroque, the premier baroque music ensemble of the prestigious and renowned Yong Siew Toh Conservatory on 27 October, Sunday, 7 pm. The great classics of Italian music will be performed by artist, actress and presenter Serena Autieri on 27 October, Sunday, at 5.15 pm.
Exhibitions at Villagio Italia
Villaggio Italia will host several exhibitions that are open to all visitors. “Italia Geniale” dedicated to the history of Italian design.
The exhibition tells the story of Italian design that has conquered the world, through dozens of original objects that have been protagonists of six decades of history. There will also be a space dedicated to Italy’s most innovative infrastructure, MOSE (the Experimental Electromechanical MOdule) in Venice and the Strait of Messina Bridge project.
The immersive exhibition “Divine Immersive Excellence” will offer a magical journey of colours, sounds and sensations dedicated to wine and Italy through an immersive screen.
Food, Movie Screenings, Art, Events & Conferences
Have a taste of Italy at the “Italy Restaurant” and a tasting area where traditional culinary products will be available. he Piedmont Region will also bring to the Villaggio Italia the wines of the territory and the prized White Truffle of Alba.
Italian films curated by the Venice Biennale’s International Film Festival will be screened daily at 8.45 pm. Films include “Comandante” and “Can I come in? An ode to Naples”.
Visitors can also see artworks like “La David” and “Navy Painters” paintings, plus a photo exhibition titled “The Soul of Vespucci”.
There will also be a series of conferences with seminars on cosmic radiation, naturalistic expeditions and other topics.
Book Your Visit to Amerigo Vespucci & Villagio Italia
Book your visit to the Italian naval ship and Villagio Italia as well as other scheduled activities.
Timeslots for Amerigo Vespucci:
24 October, Thursday from 7.30 pm to 8.30 pm
25 October, Friday from 4 pm to 7.30 pm
26 October, Saturday, from 10 am to 4.30 pm
27 October, Sunday, from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm
The Villaggio Italia will be open to the public daily from 9 am to 10.45 pm except on Thursday. The public can enter at 7.30 pm on 24 October, Thursday, and it will close in the afternoon at 5 pm on 28 October, Monday.
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