Docked in Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor until October 7, the 93-year-old Doulos, owned by the German charity Gute Bucher fur Alle, meaning Good Books For All, is the “world’s largest floating bookstore”. Equally astounding, it’s the oldest active ocean-going passenger ship. Built in 1914, it’s just two years younger than the long-gone Titanic.

For almost a month, Hong Kong people have stepped aboard to browse among thousands of moderately priced books about the likes of hobbies, cookery, art, sports, educational topics and Christian themes.

With a crew of 320 Christian volunteers from 50 countries, the Doulos travels widely to promote literacy and reading, sometimes taking its books to ports where reading materials may not be available. Nineteen million people have visited this mobile book market in 100 countries.

Originally named Medina, the ship carried cargo on a New York-Texas route. In the Second World War, it served with the US Coast Guard. Later called Roma (with cabins for 287 people and dormitories for 694) and then Franca C, it took passengers between Italy and Argentina before evolving into a Mediterranean cruise liner. In 1977, it changed again, this time renamed Doulos (Greek for “servant”).

A prominent sign onboard says: “Each member of the ship’s company endeavors to serve. Some serve with their professional expertise as qualified seamen, officers, doctors, welders, teachers, cooks or secretaries. Others come without specialized skills, but with a willingness to serve in any way they can.”

With luck, the Doulos and its crew will lift the tide of literacy for many more years. Bon voyage!

For more information: www.doulos.org/


Hong Kong children find much to their liking.


Welcome: the Doulos beckons to readers.

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