KILIKIA ARMENIAN VESSEL PUT OUT TO SEA

PanARMENIAN.Net - Kilikia Armenian vessel put out to sea from the Georgian port of Poti on July 11. According to President of Ayas, the Club of Sea Researches, Karen Balaian, who will head the expedition, the ship with Armenian flags will follow the route of the Armenian Kilikian merchants, who had close connections with European seaports in the 13-th century. The vessel was built in the environs of Yerevan due to the drafts made in the 13-th century and was transported to Poti on a trailer. Starting off from Georgia Kilikia will sail round Europe over seven seas through 22 states. In Balaian's words, the voyage will consist of two stages: the first includes the sailing from Poti to Venice, where the vessel will stand for the winter; during the second part of the voyage the ship will cover the distance from Venice to Amsterdam. Conducting of various cultural measures and meetings with Armenian Diaspora in different countries are scheduled. The campaign is to remind the world that ancient Armenia was a port state with her own navy, Karen Balaian noted.