World's largest floating book fair returns to the UAE

In cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority and with the support of Abu Dhabi Ports Company, the ship and the fair will be open to the public at Freeport Abu Dhabi, berth 40, from tomorrow to November 24, then move to Ras Al Khaimah’s port, where people can visit it from November 27 till December 9.

On board the Logos Hope will be over 5,000 book titles, largely in English and Arabic, for sale at lower prices than bookshops offer.

“Most of our books are donated by USA and UK publishers, but we also purchase some at very cheap prices through agreements we have with certain publishers,” said Katrina Lynch, project manager of MV Logos Hope.

All donated titles are kept in a warehouse in the USA, where they are checked and sorted, and every few months at least one 30-feet (over nine metres) container is shipped to the Logos Hope location for fresh book supplies.

“It’s not possible to receive a book container in every port, because the taxes may be too high, or the port too small. For example, we won’t be able to ship a container to Ras Al Khaimah port because it is a small one, but we will have one arriving in Abu Dhabi,” Lynch told Khaleej Times.

MV Logos Hope is operated by GBA Ships, an international, charitable organisation registered in Germany. Since 1970, the organisation has welcomed over 42 million visitors up the gangways in over 150 countries and territories around the world.

Its crew of 400 people from 50 different countries are all volunteers, gifting their time and efforts for the love of knowledge and education.

“Among our volunteers we even have UAE residents; not yet Emiratis, but people who lived most of their lives in the UAE,” said Lynch. Back in January 2011, the vessel docked in Dubai and Abu Dhabi for the first time, attracting more than 42,000 visitors.

Just as two years ago, the Logos Hope is here not only to sell good books at low prices, but the crew will also put together a programme of assisted educational visits for elementary school groups and a variety of outreach projects for children with special educational needs.

“One thing we’ll bring new this year is a selection of Arabic titles.” Much of the 5,000 titles on board are children’s books, but most subjects are covered, from novels, art and philosophy to science, management and parenting books.

A Visitor Experience Deck will also be opened for the public, having a welcome area, which introduces the vessel through a short movie and interactive displays, and a cafe selling ice cream, drinks and snacks.

In Abu Dhabi, the Logos Hope will be open daily from 2pm to 10pm. Entry is free of charge and children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.