SYDNEY: The Yacht ‘Armenia’ Organising Committee – a joint committee involving the participation of all Armenian-Australian organisations in Sydney – has announced that ‘Armenia’ will arrive in Sydney this month as part of its mission to tell the world about Armenia, its culture and its heritage.

An estimated 1,000 Armenian-Australians will gather from 10am on Saturday 30th of April 2011 to welcome ‘Armenia’ and celebrate a fun-filled day of Armenian festivities, music, dance and traditional food – at the Australian National Maritime Museum, Darling Harbour, South Warf, Sydney.

Dedicated to ‘Mesrob Mashdotz’ and the discovery of the Armenian Alphabet in 405 AD, as well as the 1700 Anniversary of Christianity in Armenia, the sailboat is adorned with the Armenian Alphabet on the one side, the Armenian cross on the other and the symbol of eternity in the middle. After having begun its epic journey on the 28th of May 2010 from Valencia Spain, ‘Armenia’ has for the last ten months traversed half the world, visiting every port where Armenians have established communities, built churches and founded schools. 

‘Armenia’ has sailed through the Mediterranean Sea, North America, South America, the Panama Canal, as well as the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.  ‘Armenia’ and its adventurous crew led by renowned Armenian author, adventurer and human rights activist Dr Zori Balayan have been to Brazil, Argentina and then Cape Horn where they encountered treacherous seas. While sailing on the coast of Chile they experienced a near encounter with the recent Tsunami.

‘Armenia’ is now just days away from Sydney after visiting Auckland then crossing the Tasman to be in Melbourne.

After its stay in Sydney, ‘Armenia’ will continue its travels to Indonesia, Singapore, the Hindustan Peninsula, the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. Its epic journey will come to an official close with its arrival at the Mediterranean port of Beirut.