Logos Hope Makes Maiden BVI Visit as
The MV Logos Hope, described by organisers as the world’s largest floating book fair, arrived in Road Town on Oct. 24 and opened to the public the same day with an official welcome ceremony attended by local leaders (BVI News; VINO; JTV). Organisers and local media report a heavy public response: VINO says more than 7,000 people visited the book fair in the first three days, and the final public day is Oct. 28 with hours reported by VINO as 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The MV Logos Hope — described by organisers as the world’s largest floating book fair — arrived in Road Town on the morning of Oct. 24 and was officially welcomed in a ceremony attended by Premier and Minister of Finance Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley and Governor Daniel Pruce (VINO, BVI News).
Premier Wheatley called the visit a “truly historic occasion,” calling the vessel “a gateway to discovery” and urging young people to rediscover “the joy of reading and the power of knowledge” (BVI News; VINO). At the ceremony aboard the ship, cultural presentations and a guided tour preceded the book fair opening to the public that afternoon (JTV; VINO).
Officials in attendance included Captain Matt Stephens, Deputy Governor David D. Archer Jr., Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Honourable Sharie B. de Castro, Junior Minister for Culture and Tourism Honourable Luce D. Hodge-Smith, senior public officers and members of the BVI Tourist Board (JTV; VINO).
Organisers say the Malta-registered Logos Hope stop makes the British Virgin Islands the 154th country to welcome the vessel (JTV; organisers). The GBA Ships programme that runs the ship says this world tour began in Denmark in 2009; organisers report they have sold more than 11.5 million books in over 150 ports, while the broader Logos fleet history stretches back to 1970 and organisers say more than 50 million people have visited their ships (organisers; Virgin Islands Daily News).
The ship’s floating library contains over 5,000 books, and local education officials noted strong school interest. Chief Education Officer Orlandette Crabbe told the Virgin Islands Daily News she was “just glad that they have opened their doors to our children,” with authorities planning for more than 600 student visits over the weekend and into the week (Virgin Islands Daily News).
Organisers say up to 400 multicultural volunteers serve aboard the vessel; local reporting put the current crew at about 350 volunteers from some 65 countries. Managing Director Decio de Carvalho told the Daily News the ship’s broader mission is “knowledge, help and hope,” noting crew members go onshore to work with communities, churches, schools and volunteer organisations (Virgin Islands Daily News).
New reporting from VINO on Oct. 27 says residents flocked to the floating fair, with Project Manager Kalyan Arisalya telling the VINO News Centre that more than 7,000 people visited the book fair over the first three days. VINO reported that Monday, Oct. 27, saw one of the largest turnouts ahead of what that outlet described as the ship’s final public day on Oct. 28, with book-fair hours reported by VINO as 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. (VINO).
The Premier’s Office facilitated the visit to allow direct engagement between residents, school groups and the ship’s international volunteers, and organisers say the stop is intended to promote literacy, cultural exchange and community service during the vessel’s short stay (VINO; BVI News; Virgin Islands Daily News).
Planned local activities included courtesy calls on Government, student visits, events for non-profits and uniformed bodies, a Rotary meeting, a fundraising concert, participation in church services and a community donation initiative (Virgin Islands Daily News). Residents are encouraged to take advantage of affordable books and to meet the international crew during the ship’s visit; for timing and entry details, please refer to local media updates as schedules reported by different outlets list slightly different closing dates and hours (VINO; Virgin Islands Daily News).
Primary source: VINO