A memorable day in Venice for Fondazione ITALY and Amerigo Vespucci, the Italian Navy school ship that is used, almost every year since its entry into activity, for the training of the students of the Naval Academy of Livorno.
A large delegation of Fondazione ITALY, led by President Dr. Massimiliano Ferrara, creator and founder of the International Columbus International Award, had the honour of being welcomed on board directly by Commander Nicasio Falica and by a representation of officers, sub-officers, students and sailors of the splendid sailing ship that makes us proud in the world.
Launched on February 22, 1931 at the yards of Castellammare di Stabia and renamed “the most beautiful ship in the world” by the American carrier USS Independence that crossed it in 1962, the Amerigo Vespucci has just completed the World Tour North America 2026.
The ship sailed from Genoa on 9 May for a 156-day itinerary, during which it traveled well 12.151 nautical miles, with 207 days of sea and 13 total stops, of which 8 in foreign ports.
After Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Baltimore, New York, Boston, Quebec City, Montreal, Delgada Bridge, Cadiz, Cagliari and Naples, the traveling ambassador of Made in Italy and the UNESCO values has arrived in Venice, in Riva San Biasio, in front of the Naval Historical Museum.
The Amerigo Vespucci is the oldest ship in service in the Navy and its motto, Not who begins but what it perseveres, attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, emphasizes its perseverance.
For over 30 years she has been involved in environmental protection by collaborating with UNICEF and WWF and Marevivo.
As mentioned and on the occasion of the 95th birthday of the Nave Scuola, taking advantage of its arrival in the splendid and unique setting of the city of Venice, Dr. Ferrara did not want to miss this important event by organizing the tenth edition of the Columbus International Award and delivering the prize in the hands of the Commander.
Two awards: at the Amerigo Vespucci School Ship, for the Excellence section, and Commander Nicasio Falica, for the Amazing section.
These are the important reasons:
In occasione dei suoi 95 anni e dello straordinario Tour Mondiale che ne ha riaffermato il ruolo di Ambasciatrice itinerante del Made in Italy, l’Amerigo Vespucci rappresenta l’eccellenza della storia e dell’anima marittima italiana nel mondo. Vero simbolo di maestria artigianale, rigore marinaresco e tradizione millenaria, la Nave Scuola Amerigo Vespucci incarna lo spirito di esplorazione, scoperta e unione tra i popoli che fu proprio di Cristoforo Colombo.
Alla guida della Nave Scuola Amerigo Vespucci, il Comandante Nicasio Falica incarna con passione lo spirito dei grandi navigatori italiani, coniugando la custodia dei valori e delle tradizioni della Marina Militare con una visione proiettata alle sfide del mondo globale. Per la straordinaria capacità di condurre con senso del dovere il fiore all’occhiello della nostra Patria nei mari del mondo, rappresentando dignitosamente l’eccellenza e il prestigio dell’Italia a livello internazionale.
The COLUMBUS INTERNATIONAL AWARD continues its mission linked to Italian pride and excellence.
The tenth edition was honoured by the European Commission’s patronage.
The news, the day itself, has been reported on all regional news and on the numerous publications and websites managed by the Netweek Group, over 60. A documentary will soon be aired on the National Channel 61 with the highlights of the ceremony and interviews.
The Venice edition, the tenth in time, arrives after an international journey that saw the Columbus International Award landing in Genoa, Miami, Rome, Rio de Janeiro, Amelia and New York.
On board, in addition to President Ferrara, among others, Pasqualino Buonfiglio, Vice President of Fondazione ITALY, Cristian Lochis, representing General Fruit and Polot 1882, Ambassadors of Made in Italy worldwide, President Gianfranco Sciscione of the Netweek Group and Prof. Leopoldo Rizzi.
A special thanks to the Lieutenant of Vascello Barbara Orlando and the Lieutenant of Vascello Matteo Sgherri who explained to the delegation, meticulously and with sincere emphasis, the life and history of the Amerigo Vespucci.
Thanks to all those who have worked for the realization for this beautiful, and unique in its kind, edition, the Navy for the various permits granted, thanks to all the crew for the reception and thanks to Andrea Castello and Fabio Chiavassa.
The event was realized with the support of General Fruit, AdviceTourism – the First International Tourist Portal Without Commissions, Bottega Branca, COLUMBUS SPRITZ and Polot 1882 and thanks to FERRARA – events & communication and UNITED International Media Partners, the International Communication and Information Channel that groups various International Media Partners.
The awards, beautiful handcrafted ceramic dishes personalized and depicting the logo of the Columbus International Award, were made by Bottega Branca – Creazioni in Ceramica, thanks to the mastery of Agostino Branca, and are the expression of Italian excellence and Made in Italy.
In addition to the dishes, Certified Prizes were delivered, on an ancient gold frame with insertions of marine ropes, and the Commander-in-Chief Falica was honored, directly from the hands of the Commercial Director and Foreign Trade of General Fruit, Cristian Lochis, with the first box of COLUMBUS COLLECTION. It is a beautiful wooden case containing a collection of 3 bottles that recall the Tricolor and each color has been assigned the name of the 3 famous caravelles of the trip of Christopher Columbus: the Niña, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. They are prepared to get married with the included “non-alcoholic” or with a normal Prosecco. The idea was born from the International Award, the vision of President Ferrara and Vice President Buonfiglio: a drink that in his taste knows completely of Italy, Italian flavors and Italian pride. The collaboration with the company General Fruit, leader in the world in its sector, was born. In the first months of 2027 a further novelty will always be launched in the theme COLUMBUS, Italian taste, Italian excellence, Italian pride.
L’articolo All’Amerigo Vespucci the Columbus International Award proviene da IlNewyorkese.
