(by correspondent Domenico Palesse) -
Along the walkway that leads from the pier to the city, dozens
of people wave Italian flags while on the horizon the silhouette
of the Amerigo Vespucci becomes smaller and smaller until it
disappears in the sun setting over the sea.
After five days in port, the training ship of the Italian Navy
casts off its moorings and leaves Darwin, at the northernmost
tip of Australia, thus completing its tour of the five
continents.
The next stop on the world tour will be Singapore, where the
symbolic vessel of Italy will dock on October 23, which will
effectively mark the start of its return home, scheduled for
June 2025.
"I can't explain what my emotions will be once I return to
Italy," said the commander, Captain Giuseppe Lai, "but I will
certainly be a different man, I will return enriched by an
unforgettable experience."
A launch display by the Folgore's paratroopers and the notes of
the Bersaglieri fanfare embellished the closing ceremony, in the
presence of Italian and local authorities.
Hundreds of onlookers reached Fort Hill Wharf to pay their
respects to the ship, while on board the helmsmen prepared to
cast off.
Thousands of people, during these five days, climbed aboard the
Vespucci, for an exclusive visit among the historic timbers of
the hull and the hemp sails, accompanied by the crew of the
Navy.
The final day opened with an evocative concert on the ship's bow
performed at dawn by cellist Umberto Clerici.
"Playing on the Amerigo Vespucci, at dawn in one of the most
remote places in the world, Darwin, was a great emotion," he
said.
"The union between the history of one of the oldest training
ships in the world (and for many the most beautiful in
operation) with the importance of the institutions it represents
has made it, for me, a unique experience".
The fiery red sun of dawn accompanied the performance of Pablo
Casals's 'birdsong', the soundtrack of a "memorable day", to use
the words of those who were able to attend the performance.
With the fresh departure of the Amerigo Vespucci, the Villaggio
Italia, the itinerant expo on the excellence of our country
managed and coordinated by Difesa Servizi, also closed its
doors.
"The protagonist of the Darwin stop was emotion," said the
president, Gioacchino Alfano, "amplified by the distance from
Italy.
"Here there is a large community, which has a great hunger for
Italy, for the beauties of our country". Now it is time to cast
off the last ropes and accompany the Vespucci out to sea towards
new routes and new territories.
From the dock, people wave goodbye to the sailing ship, while
she, the elderly lady of the seas, responds with the
unmistakable sound of her horn. Goodbye Darwin.
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