Logos Hope Docks In Montego Bay

Logos Hope, the world’s largest floating book fair, docked at the Montego Bay pier on Thursday (February13), with some 400 volunteers from nations around the world on board.

The vessel, which is back in Jamaica after a three-year hiatus, will be in the Second City until February 23. Members of the public will be able to access more than 5,000 books in a wide range of genres at discounted prices.

Speaking at an official welcome ceremony aboard the vessel, Custos Rotulorum for St. James, Bishop Conrad Pitkin, said that in addition to accessing a wide array of literature, Jamaicans will experience the diversity of culture that will be displayed on the vessel.

“What I am happy for is that many Jamaicans will experience the unique cultures and hear stories from the staff that are representing many countries from around the world, and have an opportunity to not only purchase books but also to participate in the various seminars and workshops being offered,” he noted.

Meanwhile, Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Homer Davis, in a speech read by Councillor for the Spring Garden Division, Dwight Crawford, commended

Logos Hope for “bringing knowledge and hope to many around the world, by providing quality literature and educational material at affordable prices”.

“I unhesitatingly support and welcome the effort of the Logos Hope for supporting the…upliftment of our minds, which is essential for national growth,” he said.

For his part, Associate Director of Logos Hope, Randy Grebe, said that persons who visit the ship will not just learn from books but will have the opportunity to experience the culture and rich history of other countries through interaction with the 400 volunteers on board.

“We are here with a vision; we are here to actually make a difference… in the lives of people. Of course, we come from 60 different nationalities… we bring a lot of different traditions [and] different types of ways of life,” Mr. Grebe noted.

The official opening ceremony saw several crew members from around the world welcoming attendees in various languages during what was dubbed “parade of nations”.

The countries represented include Haiti, Germany, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Colombia, Jamaica and Argentina.

Logos Hope will be open to the public daily from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and will be closed on Tuesday (February 18).

The entrance fee is $200 per person. Adults 65 and older and children under 12 years are allowed to enter free.

Persons visiting the ship can purchase tickets on board or at Speedy Prints, 20 Market Street, Montego Bay.