SYDNEY: The Yacht 'Armenia' is arriving in Sydney in April with its all-Armenian crew of seven including the Head of the Expedition Dr. Zori Balayan, the renowned Armenian author, adventurer and human rights activist.

Dedicated to ‘Mesrob Mashdotz’ and the discovery of the Armenian Alphabet in 405 AD as well, as 1700 anniversary of Christianity in Armenia, the sailboat is adorned with 37 letters of the Armenian Alphabet, the Armenian Cross and the Armenian symbol of eternity (Haverjoutiun) on its hull.

The yacht ‘Armenia’ began its epic journey on 28 May 2010 from Valencia Spain. For the last ten months it has traversed half the world visiting every port where Armenians have established communities, built churches and schools.  Yacht 'Armenia'’s mission is to increase awareness in the world about the Armenian nation and this once significant sea-fairing people who owned more than a 1000 ships in 24 big ports in the State of Cilicia in the years (1080 -1375).

The expedition has voyaged through the Mediterranean Sea, Gibraltar, North America, South America, Panama Canal, as well as the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.  The adventurous crew and ‘Armenia’ have sailed to Argentina and Cape Horn where they encountered treacherous seas.  While sailing on the coast of Chile in the last weeks, they experienced a near encounter with the recent Tsunami.

The yacht is now in the South Pacific Ocean on its way to New Zealand from where it will sail to Australia reaching Melbourne and then Sydney mid to end of April. 

The Yacht is to continue its travels from Australia to Indonesia, Singapore, Hindustan Peninsula, Persian Gulf, Red Sea and the Suez Canal then back to the Mediterranean to an official finish in Port Beirut.

An organising committee for the yacht's arrival has been formed in Sydney, and their message to the community was released in a statement: "The Armenian community in Sydney should come out in force to meet and greet this magnificent yacht carrying the flags of Armenia on its mast, and welcome a group of adventurers who are sailing into the Sydney Harbour, our fair city of Sydney on a mission to enlighten the world about Armenia, its culture and its heritage."

Yacht ‘Armenia’ will be entering Sydney Harbour and will be mooring at Darling Harbour, South Warf, at the foot of the ‘Australian National Maritime Museum’, where there will be a special welcoming ceremony, blessing of the ship and cultural celebrations.

Please follow news bulletins to be informed of the exact date and time the yacht is arriving in Sydney. For further enquiries, please call Sylvia on 0416 053 462 or Harmick on 0418 646 246.