“CILICIA” DOCKS AT PORTSMOUTH

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Aug. 31, 2005

The modern replica of the medieval Armenian merchant vessel Cilicia set
sail on its historic voyage on July 14, 2004 from Poti, Georgia. Flying
the Armenian flag, the vessel followed the route of medieval Cilicia
Armenian merchants, who had close connections with European seaports
in the 13-th century. The voyage consisted of two stages: the first
included sailing from Poti to Venice, where the vessel moored for the
winter; the second part of the voyage covered the distance from Venice
to Amsterdam and on its way it moored at the U.K. port of Portsmouth
where on the 20th of August there was a welcoming ceremony and the
ship was greeted by a large group of members of the community.

The day’s welcoming arrangements which had been organised by the ACCC
included a Thanksgiving Lunch and a Welcoming Ceremony. The crew were
dressed in the ancient contemporary Armenian garments and the sight of
such an interesting and ancient vessel docked in the port of Portsmouth
was unique. The welcoming party included Bishop Nathan Hovhannisian,
Baroness Cox, members of the Armenian Embassy, members of the Council
of the ACCC and representatives of Armenian organisations in the UK.

The ambitious idea of constructing a ship in landlocked Armenia was
realized by the efforts of the members of the Ayas Nautical Research
Club. Without prior experience and ship-building industrial skills
absent in the country, it took them 11 years to build the model of a
13th century Armenian ship. Ancient Armenia had a seaport in Cilicia,
and one of the military ships was called Ayas. Hence, the name that
the Club borrowed. On completion it was transported to Poti on a
trailer. Cilicia will sail round Europe over seven seas through
22 countries.