The ship Logos Hope Maputo has docked in Maputo harbour, bringing with it a bibliographic collection of around 500,000 books, making it the largest floating bookshop in the world.
Logos Hope, which has been in the Mozambican capital for almost a month, offers a different visitor experience, starting with the books on different areas of knowledge, from science, technology, sport, tourism and general fiction, to the restaurant areas. Yes, visitors can have a coffee and enjoy other delicacies. Inside the ship, there are other spaces for socialising and public access, including an auditorium where performances are given by artists on board the ship. Another attraction is the intercultural conversation sessions, moments to practise various languages and get to know other cultures.
Since 20 December, the day the ship opened to the public, there have been thousands of visitors, both national and foreign, in Maputo. However, official figures for visits have not yet been released. The highlight is the children's audience, with parents not passing up the opportunity to put their children in a reality that is rare to visit, beyond the world of fiction, with the pirates of the sea.
Logos Hope is a cruise ship that is part of GBA Ships, operating on ships that promote international exchange programmes in the areas of culture, community services and the provision of a floating library. Since it began operations in 1970, it has visited more than 1,400 ports in more than 150 countries and welcomed more than 46 million visitors on board.
The Logos Hope has been operating since 2009 and wherever it goes it has left its mark of solidarity, exchange and knowledge, through the 350 or so volunteer crew members from different countries.
Until next Thursday 18 January, the public has the opportunity to live and relive moments on the Logos Hope, keep memories and get to know other cultures. The programme costs a symbolic 20 meticais (free for children under 12 and over 65).
