Naval Modelling Exhibition

published on 19/09/2025

Meta marks World Tourism Day with a Naval Modelling Exhibition

Meta (Naples) – 25–28 September 2025

Authentic tourism is born out of a dialogue with the roots of a place. That is why, to mark World Tourism Day—held every year on 27 September to highlight tourism’s role in sustainable development—the town of Meta, on the Sorrentine Peninsula, is opening its doors to one of its most genuine expressions: naval modelling.

At the centre of the initiative is Giovanni Malvone, a passionate model-maker from Meta whose fascination with the craft began at the tender age of nine. What started as a boyhood hobby has matured into a lifelong pursuit of precision, research, and memory. Around him has grown a circle of friends, known as the Amici Modellisti (“Friends of Modelmakers”), united by a shared devotion to this art and by knowledge deeply rooted in Meta’s shipbuilding tradition. Through their meticulous reproductions of sailing ships and historic vessels, they carry forward a cultural heritage that remains vibrantly alive.

“For us, modelling is not merely a matter of technique—it is an act of love for our seafaring history,” says Malvone. “Every model embodies countless hours of labour, study, and care, but above all it preserves the memory of a community whose very identity was forged by the sea. With this exhibition we want residents and visitors alike to step into our world and discover the life and tradition behind every detail.”

The exhibition, organised with the support of the Circolo Nautico Marina di Alimuri, the Pro Loco Terra delle Sirene, and under the patronage of the Municipality of Meta, will run from 25 to 28 September 2025 in the Town Hall’s Council Chamber. The programme will include displays, cultural encounters, and practical demonstrations.

“Celebrating World Tourism Day in Meta means sharing with the public what is most authentically ours: our bond with the sea and our traditions,” remarks Luigi Russo, President of the Pro Loco Terra delle Sirene. “The Naval Modelling Exhibition is a bridge between past and future, an invitation to discover Meta’s identity through the art and passion of those who continue to safeguard it.”

Programme Highlights

Thursday 25 September, 9.00am – Opening of the exhibition and official presentation (Council Chamber, Town Hall).

Friday 26 September, 6.00pm – Presentation of maritime volumes by engineer Luigi Tufolo, with photographic screenings and seafaring tales (Antico Resegone Beach Club).

Saturday 27 September, 5.00pm – Live demonstration “Models at Sea”, featuring radio-controlled vessels in open water (weather permitting, Antico Resegone Beach Club).

Sunday 28 September, 9.00am–1.00pm and 5.00–8.00pm – Exhibition visits and awards ceremony, with prizes for the Most Voted Model (by the public) and the Most Realistic Model (by the organisers).

Visitors will be given the chance to cast their vote, and the most popular model will be awarded a bespoke wooden plaque crafted by a local artist—a symbol of the meeting point between artisanal creativity and maritime tradition. Throughout the exhibition, films will also be screened illustrating techniques for building both static and dynamic models.

“The tourism of tomorrow cannot be measured solely in numbers, but in the ability to offer authentic experiences that truly move people,” notes Biancamaria Balzano, Councillor for Tourism and Culture.

Mayor Giuseppe Tito concludes: “Meta celebrates tourism by opening the doors to its most genuine heart. The Naval Modelling Exhibition is not simply a showcase, but the living story of a community whose history has been written by the sea.”