By Bonnie James/Deputy News Editor
Qatar residents can visit Logos Hope, the world’s largest floating book fair, at Doha Port from October 10 to 20, when it returns for a second visit in three years.
Currently docked in Oman’s capital Muscat, the ship is to set sail on October 8 and arrive in Doha on October 10.
Manned by some 400 crew members from more than 45 countries, Logos Hope offers a selection of over 5,000 titles at affordable prices.
“In each country they visit, the crew members seek to embrace a variety of cultures through respecting and acting with sensitivity towards the people they meet,” a spokesperson said yesterday.
The range of subjects covered by the book fair includes science, sports, hobbies, and family life. There will be a selection of Arabic titles too.
“With children’s titles, academic texts, dictionaries, atlases and more, the book fair is something the whole family can enjoy,” a spokesperson said yesterday.
The daily opening hours are 2pm to 10pm. There will be a special forenoon session, exclusively for ladies, on October 16, from 9am to noon.
“The female crew is keen to connect and build friendships with the women visitors during this special session,” the spokesperson said.
Entry ticket is priced QR2. There is free entry for children under 16, but must be accompanied by an adult.
The Cultural Café evening, which requires a QR10 ticket available onboard, will showcase a variety of cultures, music and dances from around the globe.
The Welcome Area introduces the visitors to the vessel through a short movie and interactive displays. There is also a café which sells ice cream, drinks and snacks.
Logos Hope had welcomed over 44,000 visitors during its first visit in February 2011. For the past 21 months, the ship has been sailing around East Asia.
Logos Hope is operated by GBA Ships e.V., an international, charitable organisation registered in Germany. Since 1970, GBA Ships has welcomed over 42mn visitors up the gangways in over 150 countries and territories around the world.
Logos Hope’s sister ships, Logos and Doulos have visited Qatar repeatedly between 1971 and 2006.
All visitors to Logos Hope should take a shuttle bus from the parking lot of Doha Port, next to the Museum of Islamic Art. National ID or passport is needed for entry into the port.
Logos Hope crew members Alex Qiu (China), Frank Chen (Taiwan), Guillermo Suco (Ecuador), Wendy Armijos Estrad (Ecuador), and Sren Kusterer (Germany).
