Two days before the opening, we remember how it all began on the Poseidon ship more than a year ago. Captains and crew set out to the unknown, learning the waves as the ship traversed the oceans. There have been difficult times when everyone's strength was tested. Poseidon has sailed through all sorts of situations and many of us are fortunate to have gone through these experiences: Tempest and hurricane, thunder and calm, attacks, fights and violent eruptions, resolution and cooperation, friendships and collaboration.
The substance of the matter is that Poseidon is still sailing. Strong and proud it crosses the sea and becomes an example to follow for all other daring sea men and women. It is all amazing, how several people around the world, withought having physically met, can cooperate on various tasks on the ship and can also determine its course.
The week preceeding the Poseidonia 96 Exhibition in Piraeus, Greece, was especially difficult. There have been people who worked day and night - due to the circumstances - to set up the software and the hardware, to prepare a new article, to contribute in various ways to the joint effort. We deeply appreciate their hard work. There have been also fears and criticisms as always, but we can say this for sure:
The launching of Poseidon and HEC will take place with or without computers and software. The most important thing is that we are all proud of the institution we have created and especially the spirit of its BYLAWS. We can all look at ourselves in the mirror and feel a sense of achievement and draw strength for our other life endeavors. As this ship goes into unknown waters from time to time, there will be dangers lurking everywhere. However, the ship is srong because its crew is strong. We are reminded of Kavafy's words in his poem "Ithaka": "Laistrygonians, Cyclops, wild Poseidon - you won't encounter them unless you bring them along inside your soul, unless your soul sets them up in front of you."
Poseidon is an example for HEC's projects and an exaple of organizing an effort through the Internet. We would like to extend a THANK YOU to ALL those who have participated in this effort, crew and sponsors, and we look forward to the official launching.
The Poseidon Captains and HEC Directors