The ocean conservation exhibit meets the America's Cup

Coinciding with the 37th America's Cup, a new edition of the exhibit exploring the intricate connections between the ocean and the global climate reaches the Catalan capital. Open from September 24 to October 4 at the Port Olímpic, the show is curated by Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (UNESCO-IOC) and supported by Prada Group in the framework of SEA BEYOND, the educational program conducted in partnership with UNESCO since 2019. The project is also part of a collaboration between UNESCO and the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team on the occasion of the 37th America’s Cup, which aims to promote ocean conservation and ocean literacy.

After the success of the previous editions in Milan, Venice, Naples and Qingdao, the Ocean&Climate Village lands in the city hosting the America's Cup, ready to meet an audience that is both attentive and sensitive to environmental issues and, in particular, to the preservation of the sea, home since 1851 of the oldest and most prestigious sports trophy in history. 

Designed as a traveling and immersive itinerary capable of engaging visitors of all ages, the exhibit uses a range of educational tools - from infographics and photographs to interactive installations and tactile experiences - to illustrate the fundamental role the ocean plays in regulating the Earth's climate, explain the dynamics of marine biodiversity, and uncover the urgent challenges posed by ocean acidification and sea-level rise. Visitors will also have the opportunity to take part in dedicated educational workshops on board Cassiopea, a classic sailing boat that has been restored and transformed into a sustainable oceanographic vessel by marine biologist and director of MuMa – Museo del Mare di Milazzo (Italy) Carmelo Isgrò with the support of Prada Group in the framework of the SEA BEYOND program.

This special edition of the Ocean&Climate Village is presented as part of a partnership between UNESCO and the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team and aims to highlight the importance of sustainability in water sports and the contribution that sailboats can make to the ocean science community through the collection of valuable data on the health of the seas.

To highlight the shared commitment to ocean literacy, both UNESCO and SEA BEYOND logos will be on Luna Rossa's sails for the duration of the competition.

Lorenzo Bertelli, Executive Director of the Prada Group and Patron of the Ocean Decade Alliance:
«SEA BEYOND has supported the Ocean&Climate Village since its first edition, taking it further than the borders of Italy and Europe, with the aim of spreading ocean literacy and ocean preservation principles. The presence of the exhibition here in Barcelona during the America's Cup reflects the multifaceted nature of our relationship with the sea, which is a place of innovation, experimentation and competition, but first and foremost is a long-term commitment to sustainability and to the education of young generations».

Max Sirena, Skipper and Team Director of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli:
«The Ocean&Climate Village is not only an immersive experience and exhibition on ocean health and conservation, it is a real ‘Manifesto’ on the need to promote education and protection of the marine environment, which Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli is proud to pursue together with UNESCO-IOC and Sea Beyond. After the success of previous editions, I am happy that this important initiative has come to Barcelona, the “home” of the 37th America's Cup. This is a unique opportunity to spread our shared values of sport, education and sustainability globally, in the hope that our message will help save the blue planet».

Francesca Santoro, Senior Program Officer at UNESCO-IOC:
«The Ocean&Climate Village is a groundbreaking initiative that brings the science of the ocean-climate nexus to life in an engaging and accessible way. By hosting this exhibition at the 37th America's Cup in Barcelona, in partnership with Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team and the Prada Group, we are seizing an opportunity to reach a new and diverse audience. Our aim is to inspire people to take meaningful action for the ocean and the climate beyond the event: to "sea beyond". This exhibition not only aligns with UNESCO's commitment to education and sustainable development but also emphasizes the vital role each of us plays in safeguarding our planet».