Floating BookShop Heads for Fiji

Floating bookshop heads for Fiji - Fiji Times Online:
"THE world's oldest ocean faring passenger ship and the world's largest floating book shop, MV Doulos will grace Fiji's shores next month.

The 94-year-old cruise vessel is expected to dock at the Queen's Wharf in Lautoka on May 2 before moving to Suva during its one month visit.

During its visit to both ports, the vessel which is owned by German-based charitable organisation, Good Books for All, would be open to members of the public to view and purchase books it carries all over the globe.

The vessel which was built in 1914, two years after the Titanic, has over its existence changed from being a cargo vessel to a cruise vessel, an immigrant ship and now a floating book shop.

Project coordinator, Stephane Kapitaniuk said since Good Books for All purchased the vessel 30 years ago, it has visited more than 600 ports and has been visited by more than 20 million people.

Mr Kapitaniuk said apart from selling one of the widest varieties of books, the 350 crew members usually carried out community-based projects and relief work in the countries.

Mr Kapitaniuk said while their visit in Fiji would not feature community and relief work, there were other programs and activities such as sports being organised.

He said the crew was made up of volunteers who were determined to travel around the globe with the main goal of "Bringing Knowledge, Help and Hope" to countries they visit.

He said they hoped that during their visit to both ports, many people would visit the ship, meet the crew and buy some of the books they have on offer at very affordable prices.

Mr Kapitaniuk said during their stay at the ports, the ship would open up international cafes where members of the public could visit the ship and meet the crew members who comprise of 52 nationalities.

Mr Kapitaniuk said upon arrival at the Queens Wharf, the MV Doulos would host a welcome ceremony that is expected to be attended by a number of guests such as Lautoka Mayor Rohit Kumar.

MV Doulos was expected to spend 12 days in Lautoka before heading off to Suva where it would spend the remainder of its journey being open to the public from May 23 to June 3.

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