Floating bookshop returns to Seychelles |11 November 2005

Run by the Gute Bücher für Alle (Good Books for All), a private, non-profit, charity organisation based in Germany, the ship shop will be open for three days from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from Saturday November 19.

Boasting over 6,000 English language titles covering a range of subjects including science, cookery, sports, technology, Christianity, classic literature, dictionaries, atlases and children's books – all on sale in Seychelles rupees – the ship will be open to adults for R2 and to children for free.

"In the past 27 years, the Doulos has visited over 500 ports in more than 100 countries, seeking to promote good education and international understanding through its floating bookshop, cultural exchange activities, and practical aid projects organised with the cooperation of local authorities, organizations and churches," states a press release from the ship.

In the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's oldest ocean-going passenger vessel, the Doulos is crewed by a volunteer staff of around 320 representing over 40 different nationalities.

While in Seychelles the staff of the Doulos are planning to give a cultural presentation featuring dance, drama and song, scheduled to be held in the Island Development Corporation (IDC) car park on the Saturday and Sunday of the ship's visit.

Jason Ambros, a project coordinator for the Doulos, said that they have applied for permission to sell the books from the Ministry of Finance, Central Bank and Licensing Authority.