On board Nave Amerigo Vespucci, moored at Pier 86, we met Silvia Salis, mayor of Genoa, arrived in New York to present his city on the occasion of the Amerigo Vespucci World Tour 2026. With her we talked about the link between Genoa and New York, the roots of emigration and the turning point that awaits the Ligurian capital.
The presence of Nave Amerigo Vespucci in the Bay of New York during the celebrations of 4 July has a strong symbolic value. What does Genoa mean to be the protagonist of such an important event in the United States?
It is an event that we strongly wanted since the start of this world tour of Nave Vespucci last May in Genoa because we believe that the Amerigo Vespucci, being the floating embassy of Italy in the world, gives an opportunity of extraordinary visibility. For this great opportunity we thank Minister Crosetto, the Ministry of Defense and Defence Services for working together with this important project.
The mission from Genoa to New York was born with the aim of strengthening the historical, cultural and economic relations between the two cities. What results do you wish to bring home with this visit?
First of all, to make known the moment of change of Genoa, to make known our city to those who do not know it and to let know that soon it will be able to be connected more quickly and effectively with northern Italy, with Milan and with northern Europe. Genoa offers an extraordinary quality of life and in the coming years will live a great turn towards internationalization, but without losing its characteristics of cities to measure of man, rewarding, that does not expose you to the rhythms of the great metropolises, while remaining connected to these.
New York is home to one of the largest Italian communities in the world, with Ligurian roots. How important is it to value its roots to build new opportunities for exchange between Italy and the United States?
I believe it is essential for public administrators in Italy, for mayors and for anyone who has a public role, to remind the Italian American community that we want to have a connection with them. We hope that here they have found the realization of their dreams, that their families, coming here, have found what they were looking for, but we also hope that our country can be in great power to give them the opportunity to think about a return.
Ship Amerigo Vespucci is considered by many the best ambassador of Italy in the world. How can an international showcase like this help promote the image of Genoa?
Nave Vespucci is an exceptional vehicle of Italian excellence in the world, an internationally recognized heritage. I believe that linking Genoa to Nave Amerigo Vespucci, to its history, closely linked to that of our land, is an operation that places our city on an international showcase. And this can only do well in the city.
If he had to convince a New Yorker to choose Genoa as a destination or as a city to invest in, what would the message he would like to launch?
These are two different messages. The first is that Genoa is receiving international attention: the New York Times, Lonely Planet, the Michelin Guide, all the world’s biggest tourist references are giving recognition to our city. It is a reason to visit it, to see what Genoa is and what its spirit is. It is a charming, introverted city but that can be loved. Once you fall in love with Genoa, you don’t disintegrate. From the point of view of economic development, instead, is a city that will live an epochal change with the high speed towards Milan and with the connections that from our port will go towards northern Europe: what I want to say is that this is the time to invest in Genoa, because in the next years it will be much more expensive to do it. Who invests now is investing in a city that will make.
L’articolo Silvia Salis and the new Genoa, from New York the story of a changing city comes from IlNewyorkese.
