European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 12, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse Vat it a group of tourists wanders up one of the ancient narrow walkways in Assisi. A member of St. Francis order dressed in a Plain Brown Robe walks through photos by Gary Mille Columbus Hometown prepares to Honor him by the associated press he May have been inspired in Portugal and financed by Spain but Christopher Columbus was born in Italy and his native land in t about to forget it. For the 500th anniversary of Columbus discovery of America organizers Are planning a yearlong Celebration Jam packed with exhibitions plays sporting events historical pageants and International conventions. The Hub of the festivities will be Columbus Hometown Genoa. The aging port City is being rejuvenated by 1 trillion lira about $800 million in government Money in Honor of its most famous son. The most spectacular event promises to be Genoa s International specialized exposition entitled Christopher Columbus ships and the sea. From May 15 to aug. 15, Genoa s restored historic port zone will Host exhibitions by More than 40 countries and International organizations on science oriented themes from the evolution of the ship and Marine transport to potential uses of the sea s resources and their environmental Impact. The exposition area covering 12 acres in open and covered space will include an aquarium antique and modern ships and restaurants. A rotating elevator currently being built will be mounted on a 198-foot-High Bayside Complex of masts and steel rigging offering a panoramic View of the City. Virtually every country in Europe and the americas plus several in Africa and Asia will Host an exhibit. The japanese Are mounting theirs on a ferry boat. Egypt is sending former King Farouk s Royal yacht. Star of the show will be a big , state of the Art aquarium at water s Edge. Boat shaped two football Fields Long and ingeniously arranged to exhibit creatures from a variety of seas Europe s biggest aquarium conceived by Cambridge seven associates of Boston should draw visitors to Genoa for decades to come. Some of the exhibiting nations including Italy will Moor displays Inder stylized boat derricks rising from the water As a signature of the show. Designed by architect Renzo piano a native son whose works include Japan s Osaka Airport and Paris Pompidou Center one of the derricks will hoist visitors High above the port in a Glass sided elevator. A new convention Center and a dockside under Canvas theater will also be inaugurated this summer. Most exhibitions will be housed in historic warehouses of Coffee Cotton and spices restored and air conditioned for the occasion. Among them a . Exhibition will focus on the Chesapeake Bay Region to illustrate die history of America s Waterways in the context of historic cultural economic and environmental issues. The topic is Well suited to flatter Genoa Baltimore at the head of the Chesapeake is Genoa s brother port and american sister City. Admission to the entire exhibition will be 25,000 lire about $20with student and group discounts available. Other special events during the summer include races in september and october among old wooden ships worked by Crews in period costume an exhibit in Genoa s natural history museum of animals and plants that crossed the Atlantic to change people s daily lives and the opening of the huge newly restored Ducal Palace once seat of Genoa s government and Home to its most powerful leaders where Columbus related exhibitions will sit alongside Art shops cafes and meeting rooms. Celebrations along the italian Riviera will continue through Quot columbian october Quot where for the entire month outdoor festivals pageants and fireworks displays will take place. Those who have time should also take time to wander through the old City. The Hilly historic Center is the biggest in Italy after Venice and Florence but neglect War and flood have left it a far cry from its civic splendor in the Middle Ages. In those Days Genoa had the nickname la superba and was principal rival to Venice. Today Genoa s apparently aimless old town alleys the Carungi wander hither and Yon without much rhyme reason or discernible pattern. It s the sort of place where in search of the 12th-Century romanesque Cathedral you stumble instead on a fascinating tropical fish store and used furniture shop. Genoa s alleys Are packed with life most of it Blue Collar sidewalk salesmen hawking umbrellas smuggled cigarettes and smirking Ceramic cats senegalese vendors peddling possibly african Wood carvings and certainly phony designer handbags. Watch your Wallet and be ready for All kinds of surprises. One of the nicest ones is that there Are no cars the medieval concourses Are blessedly too narrow for even the most mini Fiat. Los Angelos mos contributed to this article. Christopher cat is the official Mascot of Genoa s Celebration. At right the Tower of Columbus is the Gateway to the old town. March 12, 1992 stripes Magazine 9
