Books Ahoy! A Unique Book Exhibition Floats Into Town

From our archives, Compass Magazine, Sep. 2000

Douglas Habecker

Needless to say, it isn’t every day that a very large book store literally sails into town. However, that will be the case on September 6, when the MV Doulos docks at Taichung Port for a one-month visit.

The port call by one of the world’s largest floating book exhibitions marks the third time that Taichung residents have had the pleasure of boarding the classic white liner to browse through a wide range of reading materials. The Doulos first visited in 1991, when a standing world record of 24,000 visitors in a single day was set. This was followed by another successful visit in 1996.

On her third visit to Taichung, the Doulos will be open daily to the public from September 7 to October 2. As in the past, visitors will be able to walk through a wide selection of reading material–in English and Chinese–for all ages. Ship organizers are anticipating at least 100,000 visitors during the Taichung port call, which follows a similar month-long stay in Kaohsiung and a May visit to Hualien. In addition to the book exhibition, the ship will also hold various cultural and English-learning programs and will be sending special teams to reach out to central Taiwan’s earthquake victims.

Besides the 5,000-plus titles and 500,000 volumes that the ship carries, there are plenty of fascinating facts surrounding the Doulos. Current Guinness world record-holder for ‘oldest active ocean-going passenger ship’, the 6,804-ton, 130-meter-long vessel was built in Newport News, Virginia in 1914, about three years after the Titanic sank.Originally named the Medina, it served in various roles, including the transportation of vegetables, before being converted to a luxury liner cruising the Mediterranean and Caribbean. In 1977, the ship, then named Franca C., was purchased by German non-profit charity, Gute Bucher fur Alle (Good Books for All). Since then, it has welcomed over 14 million visitors in over 80 countries.

Thanks to outstanding maintenance, regular inspections and several refits, international marine inspectors have commented that the Doulos is more seaworthy than many much younger ships today. A crew of over 300 volunteers from 35 to 45 nationalities spends an average of two years on board in what becomes a floating town, consuming 1,000 meals a day and responsible for everything from bread-baking and shoe repairs to fueling and logistics. While most crew members are younger singles, there are also families with children, who attend school at sea.

The Doulos will be open Mondays to Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and from 2 p.m. on Sundays and the September 7 opening day. There is a small NT$10 admission for adults with children under 12 free but required to be accompanied by an adult. Special activities include English conversation sessions on September 10, 13, 17, 19, 20, 24 and October 1, from 7:30 to 9 p.m.; a Family Festival on September 12 from 2 to 5 p.m.; a Light House Cafe on September 17 from 7 to 11 p.m.; and International Night at Tunghai University’s Chung Cheng Hall on September 30 from 7 to 9 p.m.

The ship will be docked at Taichung Port’s Berth 5A, where there is plenty of visitor parking. To get there, take Taichung Harbor (Kang) Road all the way out to Taichung Port and drive along the port to Special 1rst Road, which leads to the entrance. For more information, contact 235-2583 or 0927-590-983, or e-mail doulostc@tpts8.seed.net.tw.

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