The Tall Ships Races wrap up here at the weekend after three weeks of regattas in the upper Mediterranean, starting from the Spanish port city of Alicante.
The races, now an annual event, began 50 years ago as a way to allow young people from all over the world to have the experience of sailing on old square-riggers, topsail schooners, brigantines, barques and clippers, 42 of which are participating in this year's races.
Over 3,000 young people between the ages of 16 and 25 are taking part in this year's event, making up 50% of the ships' crews.
"Our objective is to promote friendship and brotherhood by teaching seamanship and once again we have been able to do this with these regattas," explained the head of the Italian branch of Tall Ships Races' organizer STA (Sail Training Association), Matteo Bruzzo.
Genoa Mayor Marta Vincenzi observed that the Tall Ships Races was not just a sailing event but also reinforced man's "rapport with the sea".
"And it is through this rapport that Genoa can once again have the international recognition it merits," she added.
The ships drop anchor on Saturday in Genoa's old port where the city has planned a four-day party, including an all-night bash on Saturday.
Visitors will be allowed aboard the ships while ashore there will be a vast array of entertainments including food shows, fireworks, golf driving competitions and dancing.
Aside from celebrating the Tall Ships, the four-day event will also showcase the city of Genoa and the region of Liguria, highlighting their history, cultural heritage, tourist attractions and cuisine.
After leaving Alicante, the Tall Ships fleet made stops Barcelona and Toulon.
Thirteen of the 40 ships are Class A, over 50 feet in length, while two are over 100 feet long.
Accompanying the Tall Ships fleet is South Africa's entry to the 2007 America's Cup, Shosholoza.
Italy is taking part with its full fleet of training ship, including flagship Amerigo Vespucci, Palinuro, Stella Polare, Capricia and Nave Italia.
Other Tall Ships include Russia's Mir, Libertad from Argentina, Uruguay's Captain Miranda, Britain's Sarie Marias of Plym, Belle Poule from France and Poland's Pogoria.
The last time the Tall Ships visited Genoa was in 2000 for the Regatta of the Millennium.
