The Floating Embassy

Mumbai had an unusual visitor, a ship that is 93 years old but also a floating embassy going from country to country as an exhibition of Italy’s culture. As it reclined against the waters in Indira Dock the Amerigo Vespucci was a portrait of elegance. It  is as ships once used to be—masts, sails, wood and huge ropes coiled neatly, all of it, when in the sea, working together in tandem with human hands to conquer the elements. It is only inside, tucked away in corners that you see an electronic monitor or two but otherwise the ship is a throwback to how navies were once made of vessels like these. There are three masts, with the main one in the middle. Sails are rolled up since it is now parked and the medley of ropes are in different stages of discoloration because they get replaced at regular intervals for peak performance . The ship was in Mumbai from November 28 to December 2.

Commander Tommaso Faraldo, executive officer of the ship, said that the ship was launched in 1931 and was seeing India for the first time. “The purpose of this trip is to bring Italian excellence around the world, including our food, culture, arts, design, and technologies. We sail around the world to share our traditions and culture,” he says. “We departed from Italy on the 1st of July, 2023, and after visiting 27 ports, we are here in Mumbai. It is an honor to be in India.”

Accompanying the ship at each port of call was the Villaggio Italia, an exhibition next to it at the dock of Italian culture and art.  At the opening ceremony, the Italian ambassador to India, Antonio Bartoli was also present. He said, “It is a great joy to share with our Indian friends the privilege of the beauty of this amazing ship. It is our pride. It’s an old lady but in very good shape. And it’s a symbol of the elegance, the craftsmanship and the ingenuity of Italy. This is a world tour. We also built a village that showcases the best of our creativity and innovation. There are a lot of workshops on the areas of collaboration that India and Italy will pursue according to the action plan that the two Prime Ministers just signed to give confidence to strategic partnership.“

The Amerigo Vespucci is a training ship but why do sailor  of a modern navy need to be trained in such a ship? Because it is necessary for them  to also know the foundational nuts and bolts of their calling. “The Italian navy’s tradition is to train new sailors with traditional navigation, like  using the wind and the sextant. It is very interesting for the cadets to maneuver with the sail by wind,” says Faraldo. Another reason why the ship remains relevant for Italy’s navy is because everyone has a stint of training on it making for a common experience from top to bottom and thus a marker of unity. It is also now a cultural bridge between Italy and the countries where the ship goes to.

Ambassador Bartoli gives the example of what is common to both India and Italy and how the visit of the ship is an occasion to reemphasise it. He says, “Soft power is not just a theoretical idea but something inscribed in our history. We are both ancient civilizations who can be inspirations to design the future. This unites us and we are projecting (cooperation in) not only sectors like trade and investments, but in sectors like innovation startups, artificial intelligence, green hydrogen that are at the very front of our common future.”

About The Author

Madhavankutty Pillai

Madhavankutty Pillai has no specialisations whatsoever. He is among the last of the generalists. And also Open chief of bureau, Mumbai  

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