UAE: Meet volunteers at world’s largest floating book fair; coming to Dubai on April 18 – News

At the heart of MV Logos Hope is its diverse team of volunteers, who come from approximately 65 different nationalities who dedicate a year or more of their lives to serving on board

After nearly a decade, the world’s largest floating book fair has returned to the UAE – bringing not only thousands of books in Arabic and English, but also hundreds of volunteers “to promote literacy, intercultural cooperation and social awareness”.

MV Logos Hope is currently berthed at the port of Ras Al Khaimah (berth 8) until 16 April. It will sail to Dubai next week and open its ramps to the public from April 18 to 23 before docking in Abu Dhabi on May 17 to stay in the capital until June 4.

Logos Hope – operated by the Germany-based non-profit organization GBA (Good Books for All), continuing the tradition of its sister ships Logos, Doulos and Logos II. Since 1970, these ships have welcomed approximately 50 million passengers from more than 150 countries and territories.

Logos means “word” in Greek, and the ship is seen as a “true expression of international goodwill and understanding”. At its heart are a diverse crew and volunteers from some 65 different nationalities who dedicate a year or more of their lives to service on board.

One of the current crew of 300 volunteers is 28-year-old Nidhin Sebastian. Sebastian, originally from the Indian state of Kerala, worked for IndiGo Airlines as a security officer before embarking as a volunteer in November 2021. He is currently the ship’s Head of Port Engagement.

He told Khaleej Times that their aim is not only to provide books at low prices but to “share knowledge, help and hope” in every port they visit. That means crew members don’t just host book fairs, organize books, replenish book shelves or visit the ship; they also engage in “cultural exchange, community work, and building bridges between people around the world.”

Their voyage is also about sharing the beauty of literature and making it accessible to everyone.

That’s why Sebastian has visited Sierra Leone, Ghana, Liberia, West Africa, Canary Islands, Spain, Malta, Albania, Montenegro, Cyprus, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Djibouti and Iraq over the past two years. Before coming to the UAE, the ship made its first successful visit to Basra, where it educated and cheered more than 90,000 book lovers.

“Every country we visit is special,” Sebastian noted, adding: “Logos Hope has always been about making connections and understanding multiculturalism. It wouldn’t be possible without the support of like-minded partner organisations, institutions and ministries. , we cannot do this.”

Volunteers visit hospitals, schools, orphanages and provide community care. Sebastian pointed to the Logos Hope team’s community outreach program after Hurricane Dorian devastated the Bahamas in 2020.

“What makes Logos Hope unique is the crew itself,” said Saunval Pateliya, 22, a media relations officer. He said the most important thing he has learned since volunteering with the ship last September is expanding his cultural understanding.

The crew and staff are all volunteers, including many who serve in professional capacities such as seamen, engineers, electricians, nurses, teachers and cooks. Even the captain is a volunteer and does not receive any salary.

Pateliya, a recent college graduate from Gujarat, said they all came from different cultural backgrounds.

“We learn from each other. Our diversity is very beneficial in “pursuing lives beyond our personal comfort zone,” he noted, adding: “Volunteers benefit from a structured training program where they combine work with cross-cultural exposure . “

Book fans in Ras Al Khaimah have been scouring the ship’s shelves and piles of books since April 11. The book fair will run in the emirate until April 16 before heading to Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

Prisha, 7, was brought in by her parents Dhananjay and Kruti on Tuesday. She picked out a few storybooks, which her parents said they could afford. Other visitors also pointed out price points and ways to buy quality literature.

Logos Hope’s collection of books spans art, science, short stories, children’s books, cooking, medicine, languages, academic texts, atlases, dictionaries and more. Not only does it promise a plethora of titles, but it also offers a host of cultural performances and events on board.