Virgin Islands residents young and old browsed shelves featuring children’s books, Bibles, cookbooks, novels and more while on board the world’s largest floating book fair.
The ship Logos Hope docked Friday at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park for its first-ever visit to the territory, and it departed on Wednesday morning.
“The Logos Hope is no ordinary ship,” Premier Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley said on Friday morning during a ceremony aboard the vessel. “She carries with her not just thousands of books, but thousands of opportunities to learn, to dream and to be inspired. Her arrival reminds us of the importance of reading and lifelong learning and building stronger, wiser and more compassionate communities.”
Mr. Wheatley was among several government officials who attended the ceremony, which also included speeches from Governor Daniel Pruce, the ship’s captain and crew members from around the world.
Attendees also viewed a dance performance by crew members that was inspired by traditional Korean fan dancing.
ceremony, which celebrates its arrival to the Virgin Islands for the first time. (Photos: ALLISON VAUGHN)
Inaugural visit
The territory was the 154th port that the non-profit project’s ships have visited since its inception 55 years ago, according to Logos Hope Managing Director Decio de Carvalho.
The Rotary Club of Tortola helped facilitate the inaugural visit to the VI, where the ship was hosted by the Premier’s Office.
Logos Hope Project Manager Kalyan Arisalya said during a press conference on Friday that the focus of the ship’s visit was “literacy and education” — emphasising his excitement for the planned visits from schools and the wider community.
Affordability
During the press conference, Mr. de Carvalho explained how the books get to the fair’s shelves.
“We of course can’t offer books of all kinds and all topics,” he said. “So we select books: a selection of books for children, a selection of educational books, the Bibles, Christian books as well.”
Then he explained how organisers are able to keep the prices of the books affordable.
“We seek publishers who are willing to sell books for a lower price, which then will allow us to also have books at a lower cost for the public,” he said.
In addition to providing affordable books through the fair — which carries over 5,000 titles — the ship hosted a concert on Saturday where Elmore Stoutt High School students performed.
