The historic residence located in the heart of Shanghai officially opened its doors for the first time in SEA BEYOND, offering a diverse program of educational activities for children and adults, promoting a better understanding of the relationship between the ocean and human beings, and their mutual influence. The initiative welcomed more than 12,500 people.
In the ballroom, visitors were able to discover the vital role of the ocean in regulating the planet's climate at the Ocean and Climate Village – the traveling, immersive and interactive scientific exhibition designed by the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) – which was taking its second stage in China after its first in Qingdao in October 2023.
On the fourth floor, visitors were invited to reflect on the urgent realities of climate change through a selection of striking images by environmental photographer and climate artist Enzo Barracco, nominated for the Emmy Awards. Taken during his expeditions to Antarctica, the Galapagos, Hawaii and Alaska – the Alaska series being unveiled here for the first time – these photographs highlight the beauty of some of the most extraordinary and threatened marine environments on the planet.
Young visitors participated in educational workshops combining science, art and ocean awareness, through interactive and living experiences. They explored topics such as ocean pollution and its impact on marine life, discovered the impact of sea level rise on marine and human ecosystems, and discovered nature-based solutions. They also discovered the most popular species of fish in Chinese waters thanks to the drawings and stories of the famous Japanese fish critic SAKANA-KUN.