该文章内容为英文版。中文版即将登陆网站，敬请期待。
Prada Rong Zhai – the historic residence located in the heart of Shanghai – officially opened its doors for the first time to SEA BEYOND, with a multi-faceted program of educational activities for children and adults that promote a better understanding of the relationships between the ocean and human beings, and how each influences the other. The initiative welcomed 1600 people over the first two days.
In the Ballroom, visitors can learn about the vital role the ocean plays in regulating the planet’s climate at the Ocean&Climate Village – the travelling, immersive, interactive science exhibition developed by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO – making its second stop in China after its debut in Qingdao in October 2023.
On the fourth floor, visitors are invited to reflect on the urgent realities of climate change through a selection of striking images by Emmy-nominated environmental photographer and climate artist Enzo Barracco. Captured during his expeditions to Antarctica, the Galapagos, Hawaii, and Alaska – with the Alaskan series unveiled here for the first time – the photographs showcase the beauty of some of the planet’s most extraordinary and threatened marine environments.
THEMATIC TALKS
To mark the opening of the event, a series of thematic talks offered diverse perspectives on ocean education. The discussions explored the role of cross-sector collaborations, recounted how a passion for the marine environment evolved into careers and a lifelong commitment to ocean protection, and explored the power of photography to raise awareness. Among the many speakers in attendance: Francesca Santoro, IOC Senior Programme Officer; SAKANA-KUN, renowned Japanese Ichthyologist; Enzo Barracco; Bai YuFan, Actor and Titouan Bernicot, Goodwill Ambassadors of the SEA BEYOND project.
EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS FOR KIDS
Young visitors were engaged in educational workshops that blended science, art, and ocean awareness through lively, hands-on experiences. Children explored ocean pollution and its impact on marine life (“Ocean kaleidoscope: rescue the whale”), learned how sea level rise affects both marine and human ecosystems and discovered nature-based solutions (“Land and sea: mini-ecosystems”), and got to know the most iconic fish species in Chinese waters through live drawing and storytelling by SAKANA-KUN (“Secrets of the Sea: A Journey into the World of Fish”).