Sailing ship Bel Espoir to visit in Cyprus 6-9 June as part of MED25 Odyssey initiative

The sailing ship Bel Espoir (Good Hope) that is sailing across the Mediterranean will be in Cyprus between 6 and 9 June, as part of the interreligious and intercultural initiative MED25 Odyssey-Bel Espoir, following an appeal by Pope Francis before passing away, the organisers said in a press release.

Following late Pope Francis’ appeal during his final address at the Mediterranean Meetings in Marseille - for unity, understanding, and reconciliation in a region rich in culture but deeply wounded by division - 200 young people from 25 countries embarked on a unique sea voyage in pursuit of peace, the announcement said. The journey, which will continue until October 2025, was officially launched at the Vatican in February 2025 and received the blessing of Pope Francis before his death, it added.

Over the course of seven months, Bel Espoir will visit around 30 ports across five Mediterranean shores – North Africa, the Middle East, the Black Sea and Aegean, the Balkans, and Europe - including a key stop in Cyprus from June 6 to 9.

“Cyprus represents a key stop on the journey with the theme Interreligious Dialogue”, it said, adding that, from June 6 to 9, the ship and its young passengers will be in Cyprus, where they will engage in local activities with youth organisations, community and religious leaders and representatives in Nicosia and Larnaca, focusing on dialogue and peacebuilding in a conflict zone and the shared challenges and opportunities across the Mediterranean. Cultural exchanges and public events will also take place, “highlighting Cyprus’ vital role as a bridge between Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa,” the press release noted.

So far, the ship has visited Barcelona, Morocco, Sicily, Tunisia, Malta, and Crete, and after Cyprus, it will continue to destinations such as Lebanon, Turkey and Greece, the announcement said.

The participants, representing different nationalities, religions, and cultural backgrounds, set sail in March 2025 aboard the historic three-masted ship Bel Espoir, as part of the interreligious and intercultural initiative MED25 Odyssey - Bel Espoir, it said. “This initiative is not merely a symbolic voyage- it is a floating laboratory of dialogue and peace, a moving symbol of cooperation and unity among Mediterranean people”, it said. ‘We refuse to let the Mediterranean become either a battlefield or a graveyard,” the organisers said.

The 200 participants, divided into eight groups of 25, live, work, and learn together aboard the ship. At each port of call, they collaborate with local communities and organisations, fostering intercultural dialogue and social cohesion. Workshops are held on key topics such as interfaith dialogue, human rights, environmental justice, and migration, it said.

For those interested for more information, photos, and videos about the journey and the mission of MED25 Odyssey-Bel Espoir, they may visit the official website: med25belespoir.org

(Source: CNA)