Dear supporters and partners,

We would like to thank you for the good support and cooperation in the past year. 2025 has been an eventful year for the Foundation The Ship Sørlandet and our subsidiary A+ World Academy:

• The ninth school year in A+ World Academy’s history was completed with 72 students circumnavigating the North Atlantic, visiting 18 ports on three continents and crossing the Atlantic twice. The year concluded with a Graduation Ceremony at the Caledonien Hotel with 400 parents and extended family.
• The Tall Ships Races in Kristiansand became a public festival with 4,000 visitors on board, seven weddings, a concert in the rig and a brewery tour in the shed.
• Sørlandet contributed to the Skagerrak Expedition together with the University of Agder, the Institute of Marine Research and Agder County Municipality. It was an important contribution to spreading knowledge about the ocean.
• We did a mini tour of Sørlandet with "Open Ship" in several ports - with several thousand visitors on board.
• Planning for our 100th anniversary in 2027 is well underway with a festival, anniversary book and documentary film.
• We have launched a rotation scheme for teachers to strengthen learning outcomes and make their workplace more attractive.
• Det Norske Brenneri launched "Sørlandets jule aquavit", matured on board Sørlandet for almost a year.
• We are working hard to establish a sustainable and predictable arrangement for financing the demanding repairs that come every five years.
• Now is Sørlandet on their way to Cape Verde, where this year's class will celebrate Christmas before the first Atlantic crossing to the Caribbean.

We look forward to a new year of exciting sailing, learning and collaboration. On behalf of the Foundation The Ship Sørlandet We wish you a peaceful Christmas celebration and a happy new year!

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