In about a month the first German edition of the “Ship of Tolerance” is to be launched during the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern day. On the 17th of April the mast of this worldwide art project was put. With the help of a crane the long and heavy metal column was lifted up und carefully inserted into the ship’s wooden hull.
Since the 9th of April the international team headed by British construction manager David Harold has been working on this project by the Russian-American artist couple Ilya and Emilia Kabakov. The aim of this art project is to communicate respect towards foreign cultures and ideas as well as the acceptance of differences. The Kabakovs are one of the most exhibited artists with their installations being shown in museums such as the Museum of Modern Art in New York or the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.

The idea of the “Ship of Tolerance” was first put into practice in 2005 in Siwa, Egypt. From there more ships have been launched all over the world. In the last thirteen years eight models have been built and presented worldwide in places like Miami, Rome, Havana or St. Moritz. This new one is to be the ninth ship of this kind, but also the first German one. During the Hanseatic Day the ship is to be stocked in the Ludewig Basin with 800 colourful, self-painted sails decorating the city harbour. The sails are created by children and teenagers of all different age groups based on their ideas of tolerance and respect, resulting in various motives.
Parallel to the project, an exhibition of the Kabakovs will take place in the Rostock Kunsthalle from May to October.
The “Ship of Tolerance” will also play a role during the Hanseatic Day. The members of the “youthHansa” will do a workshop on the ship together. But also visitors of the event can have a glimpse inside this impressive ship.
Frederike Schirra