World's largest floating book fair docks in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - To travel around the world, sell reasonably priced books and be involved in humanitarian activities constitute a rewarding experience for many of the 408 officers and crew of the world’s largest floating book fair, the M/V Logos Hope.

The 12,519-gross-ton steel-hulled Logos Hope arrived in Manila on Thursday. For the next 25 days, it will be docked at the South Harbor’s Pier 15 to sell books and entertain visitors.

The Logos Hope is part of the GBA (previously Good Books for All) ships. It is a non-profit organization based in Germany that operates ships that sail around the world to bring knowledge, help and hope.

The vessel was originally built in Germany in 1973 and was initially named Gustav Vasa and renamed Norrona until it was bought by GBA Ships in 2004.

The ship was transformed into the Christian mission ship Logos Hope, commencing voyage in 2009. It has already visited 60 ports in 39 countries and welcomed 2.5 million people.

The ship has some 500,000 books with over 5,000 different titles covering a wide range of categories such as science, sports, hobbies, cooking, arts, economics, philosophy, languages, medicine, fiction and general reference.

The ship’s managing director Gian Walser, however, believes that Logos Hope “is more than a ship with many books.”

It is more than an international traveling community, he said.

“Logos Hope’s vision is to make a difference in the world. A vision to bring knowledge, help and hope,” he said.

It is through their travels at sea that they are able to bring the good news to needy communities and share stories because while they wonder at God’s creation, they’ve also seen suffering in different parts of the world.

This prompted Logos Hope to reach out by bringing aid and relief projects to communities that need help. They have helped in the promotion of peace, assisted in rebuilding orphanages, donated thousands of books, offered computer training, supported awareness and education programs for HIV/AIDS, and offered eye examinations and dental check-ups.

The ship’s officers and crew are committed to do voluntary work for at least two years. There are also families with them and they provide education to some 40 children.

The 408 personnel onboard the ship come from 56 different countries. Eight of them are Filipinos.

Faith Mandalupe, 28 and a native of Cebu, has been part of the Logos Hope’s crew for two and a half years. Life on board has been an interesting experience because it gave her the opportunity to learn about other cultures.

Compatriot Lita Teodosco left her work as an executive producer in a television network in Metro Manila in 2008 to become a staff at M/V Doulos, also a floating book fair that has already been decommissioned, and later joined Logos Hope.

“Work everyday at the M/V Logos Hope is more fulfilling because (what I do) has an impact on people… before, my sense of fulfillment was limited, now it is more personal because the person you help is in front of you and not on television. We do humanitarian work,” Teodosco said.

She admitted that when she was still working in television, she was the family breadwinner.

Now, “I have no means to support them. I lean on God. I lift my burdens to Him,” she said.

The Logos Hope would be in Manila until March 13. It would be open from Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

On Sundays it would be open from 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. It is closed on Monday.

Entrance ticket costs P20, while those aged 12 years old and below can enter the ship for free provided that an adult accompanies them.

On Feb. 24, an International Night with performances showcasing various cultures will be held.

On Feb. 26 and March 4, there would be an Open Ship Day with family-oriented activities such as plays.

On March 10, their African Choir would perform in the evening.

After Manila, they proceed to Subic where they would be open from March 16 until April 8. From April 9 to June 27, the vessel would be dry docked for maintenance repairs before sailing to Indonesia.