Doulos set to get warm Brunei welcome
Set to anchor: MV Doulos will arrive in Brunei on October 27. (Above) Hj Shahrum Hj Kadir (L), NBT's general sales manager, hands over a mock cheque worth $8,000 to Marc Felten, the project manager of Doulos' visit to Brunei, in support of the project. Pictures: Courtesy of http://www.mvdoulos.org and Hafiz AH
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
BRUNEIANS are in for a treat as the largest floating book fair MV Doulos is set to lay anchor at the Muara Port in a few days.
Avid readers will enjoy the ship's selection of about 6,000 book choices ranging from arts, science, sports and even dictionaries.
But even before it docks in Brunei, Doulos is already getting a warm welcome from local companies, who have committed to sponsor the ship's visit.
The ship docks in Muara on October 27 to November 2.
"It is really difficult to find good books here in Brunei and the ship had such a wide range," said Noriah Hj Jamal, 27, who visited the floating book fair in 1999. "Book readers would love it. I wanted to buy so many books when I was last there."
She praised the kind and friendly service that was shown on the vessel. "You could tell they were book lovers as they were so knowledgeable about the books I was asking about," she said. "You rarely get that kind of service in Brunei bookstores."
Siti Rahimah Roslaini, 26, also remembered the great service she got when she visited the ship with her fiance{aac}. "How can you sell books if you are not a reader?" she asked, adding that the plastic-wrapped books and magazines in local bookstores deter readers from gauging whether or not they are worth buying.
Among those sponsoring Doulos is NBT, which committed $8,000 for the ship's visit.
In a ceremony yesterday, Hj Shahrum Hj Kadir, NBT's general sales manager handed over a mock cheque to Marc Felten, the project manager of Doulos' visit to Brunei.
Anthony Bong, NBT's marketing manager said the sponsorship is another NBT community service to the people of Brunei Darussalam.
NBT is the diamond sponsor for the ship's arrival, while Sheraton Utama is the gold sponsor. IM Graphics Design Studio is a co-sponsor. TRI-STAR Shipping & Trading Co Sdn Bhd is the handling agent for the project.
Felten stated his appreciation for the companies' support.
"On behalf of the MV Doulos, I'd like to thank NBT for joining us in our vision to spread knowledge, international understanding and goodwill, " he said. "As a charity organisation, we depend on support from individuals and corporate companies around the world."
He added: "It is our aim that the upcoming visit of the MV Doulos to Brunei Darussalam will contribute significantly to the benefit of the community and the enjoyment of the public and NBT has caught that vision."
The ship's previous visit to the country in 1999 saw over 18,000 visitors who came onboard to bask in the entertaining atmosphere of the historic ship and experience the numerous cultures of the international crew.
The Doulos is only two years younger than the Titanic and made its mark in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's oldest active ocean-going passenger ship.
Doulos was purchased by Gute Bucher fur Alle eV (Good Books for All), a German private, non-profit, charitable organisation seeking to promote good education and international understanding through its floating book fair and cultural exchange programme.
Apart from showcasing 6,000 titles, Doulos will also present cultural shows.
"It will be held in an open day setting," said Felten, adding that visitors will be able to see four different themed shows based on the continents around the world on specific dates.
The show entitled "The World in Brunei!" will be performed by the international crew made up of volunteers from 50 countries.
Tours and cultural programmes will also be available.
There will also be a drawing competition. Those interested must submit their work of art by November 2 at 1pm onboard the vessel.
In the last 30 years, the ship has visited over 500 ports in over 100 countries and over 19 million visitors have been welcomed onboard for tours and programmes in Doulos' aim to bring knowledge, help and hope to the world.
The Brunei Times
Avid readers will enjoy the ship's selection of about 6,000 book choices ranging from arts, science, sports and even dictionaries.
But even before it docks in Brunei, Doulos is already getting a warm welcome from local companies, who have committed to sponsor the ship's visit.
The ship docks in Muara on October 27 to November 2.
"It is really difficult to find good books here in Brunei and the ship had such a wide range," said Noriah Hj Jamal, 27, who visited the floating book fair in 1999. "Book readers would love it. I wanted to buy so many books when I was last there."
She praised the kind and friendly service that was shown on the vessel. "You could tell they were book lovers as they were so knowledgeable about the books I was asking about," she said. "You rarely get that kind of service in Brunei bookstores."
Siti Rahimah Roslaini, 26, also remembered the great service she got when she visited the ship with her fiance{aac}. "How can you sell books if you are not a reader?" she asked, adding that the plastic-wrapped books and magazines in local bookstores deter readers from gauging whether or not they are worth buying.
Among those sponsoring Doulos is NBT, which committed $8,000 for the ship's visit.
In a ceremony yesterday, Hj Shahrum Hj Kadir, NBT's general sales manager handed over a mock cheque to Marc Felten, the project manager of Doulos' visit to Brunei.
Anthony Bong, NBT's marketing manager said the sponsorship is another NBT community service to the people of Brunei Darussalam.
NBT is the diamond sponsor for the ship's arrival, while Sheraton Utama is the gold sponsor. IM Graphics Design Studio is a co-sponsor. TRI-STAR Shipping & Trading Co Sdn Bhd is the handling agent for the project.
Felten stated his appreciation for the companies' support.
"On behalf of the MV Doulos, I'd like to thank NBT for joining us in our vision to spread knowledge, international understanding and goodwill, " he said. "As a charity organisation, we depend on support from individuals and corporate companies around the world."
He added: "It is our aim that the upcoming visit of the MV Doulos to Brunei Darussalam will contribute significantly to the benefit of the community and the enjoyment of the public and NBT has caught that vision."
The ship's previous visit to the country in 1999 saw over 18,000 visitors who came onboard to bask in the entertaining atmosphere of the historic ship and experience the numerous cultures of the international crew.
The Doulos is only two years younger than the Titanic and made its mark in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's oldest active ocean-going passenger ship.
Doulos was purchased by Gute Bucher fur Alle eV (Good Books for All), a German private, non-profit, charitable organisation seeking to promote good education and international understanding through its floating book fair and cultural exchange programme.
Apart from showcasing 6,000 titles, Doulos will also present cultural shows.
"It will be held in an open day setting," said Felten, adding that visitors will be able to see four different themed shows based on the continents around the world on specific dates.
The show entitled "The World in Brunei!" will be performed by the international crew made up of volunteers from 50 countries.
Tours and cultural programmes will also be available.
There will also be a drawing competition. Those interested must submit their work of art by November 2 at 1pm onboard the vessel.
In the last 30 years, the ship has visited over 500 ports in over 100 countries and over 19 million visitors have been welcomed onboard for tours and programmes in Doulos' aim to bring knowledge, help and hope to the world.
The Brunei Times
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