“CILICIA” TO WINTER IN VENICE
Azg/am
19 Oct 04
On October 14, “Cilicia” arrived in Venice and moored by the Island of
St. Lazarus, one of the centers of Armenian culture. The first part
of the program envisaged by Ayas club members is already carried
out. The members of the crew are already getting ready for winter.
>From Poti to Venice the ship had 22 stations. They passed across 7
seas and visited 11 countries in 93 days. All the Armenians followed
the voyage of “Cilicia” with great interest. RA President Robert
Kocharian sent a message to the members of the crew reading: “It is
over three weeks that we attentively follow your courageous voyage on
the copy of the 13-th century Cilicia ship. You carried with pride the
flag of our motherland on “Cilicia” after 800 years. Today is a day of
joy. You reachedthe harbor of Venice. I congratulate you with
finishing the first part of your long voyage. I wish you health and
successful return.”
The sailors also think that their main goal is attained and, giving
excellent mark to their activities, they state that all the possible
was done on higher level. They only regret that they couldn’t take
time for visiting Egypt. But it is already an undeniable fact that the
members of Ayas club are already sailors, men of sea.
“Cilicia” participated in the international parade of sailing ships,
carrying the Armenian flag among the fags of other countries.
Afterwards, the ship will stay moored in the former military harbor of
Venice during the whole winter. The Armenian sailors will be back to
Armenia by the end of October.
By Tamar Minasian