OCEAN SENTIMENT FESTIVAL

Sentiment Océanique is a four-day festival conceived by COAL to mark the Year of the Sea and the^3rd United Nations Conference on the Ocean (UNOC3), a major global event that will bring together heads of state, governments and over 15,000 researchers, scientists, associations and institutions in Nice next June to reach what we hope will be a historic agreement on ocean protection.

Against this decisive backdrop, COAL spotlights committed artists whose work bears witness to the richness and diversity of the Earth’s largest ecosystem, during four days of rich programming combining exhibitions, shows, workshops and encounters. The festival’s scientific partner, the Pythéas Observatory for the Sciences of the Universe (CNRS, AMU, IRD, INRAE), will be joined by oceanologists and protectors of the seabed.

This program, held on the remarkable site of Fort Mont Alban, is associated with the Biennale des Arts and is supported by the Ville d’art et d’histoire de la City of Nice.

AN OCEANIC FEELING

The ocean is our geographical, dreamlike and political horizon. A landscape without stable character or boundaries, in perpetual motion, a place where everything changes without anything really changing, at once entirely concrete and almost abstract, the ocean seems to go beyond its geographical definition to designate a sensitive experience, profoundly intimate and yet widely shared. An experience that summons what Romain Rolland called “oceanic feeling”, this emotion that annihilates temporality and space, and that immerses us in a great whole. Although essential to the planet’s equilibrium, the ocean is under increasing threat from climate change and biodiversity loss: warming, rising sea levels, acidification, pollution, overexploitation… even though it plays a vital role in regulating the climate and sustaining life, both ecologically and economically. Three billion people depend directly on its resources, making it a major geopolitical issue between cooperation and conflict.
Mysterious and little-known, explored to less than 5%, it feeds our imaginations, from ancient myths to future projections, symbolizing both origin and the unknown, exile and hope.

A FOUR-DAY FESTIVAL FOR THE OCEANS

Exhibition – shows and concerts – science bar – workshops & experiments – iodine flavours
workshops & experiments – iodized flavors

Conceived as a voyage of exploration through the abundance and variety of oceanic issues and the artistic forms that address them, this four-day festival offers a collective moment of discovery.

The event invites you to observe, to observe, listen to and understand underwater life, to immerse oneself in the long time of the oceans, to taste its flavors, to meditate with its energies, and to commit oneself to it, in the shared fervor of art and music. The program is supported by the artists and animated by a professional network of excellence in the field of art and ecology, in the continuity of the actions undertaken by COAL over the last 15 years.

EXHIBITION

Encounter with bioluminescence

In the Fort Mont Alban
Thursday from 1pm to 8pm
Friday and Saturday from 12pm to 8pm
Sunday from 12pm to 6pm

An unprecedented plunge into the heart of the abyss, as if aboard a shipwreck, a rocky cavity or a submarine, the exhibition at the Fort du Mont Alban plunges visitors into an experience and encounter with bioluminescent marine organisms. Living manifestations of light have always been a powerful source of wonder for mankind. Whether on land or at sea, living organisms capable of bioluminescence have been a source of fascination and inspiration since time immemorial. Over the next few days, we’ll be offering an encounter with these living organisms through the mediation of artists.

This unique and moving immersion in the bluish light of photo-bacteria and its elusive imaginary world is orchestrated by the five artists: Antoine Bertin, Jeremie Brugidou, Cameron Gainer, Nadia Merad Coliac, Elvia Teotskias well as specimens from the abysses of Bloom. Exhibition curated by Christopher Yggdre.

SHOWS AND CONCERTS

Three artistic performances will highlight the relationship between man and ocean. The Ballet de Nice, directed by Pontus Lidberg, will open the festivities with a creation inspired by the power of waves and the elements. The Collectif Minuit 12, will present Récifs , a show committed to marine protected areas. The Ensemble vocal Les Voix Animées will take the audience on a musical journey celebrating the sea as a timeless source of inspiration.

Thursday, June 5, 8pm

Festival opening evening

In the exceptional setting of Fort Mont Alban, with one of the finest views over Nice and the Bay of Villefranche, this unique event offers inspiring talks, artistic performances and engaged exchanges, for an evening dedicated to celebrating the beauty of the seas and the urgency of preserving them.

Friday, June 6, 8:30 p.m.

COLLECTIF MINUIT 12, Récifs

Participatory show for the oceans

In this participatory show at the crossroads of contemporary dance, hip-hop and waacking, the Minuit 12 collective invites us to mobilize for marine protected areas. On the eve of the UNOC, their performance, bringing together amateur and professional dancers, calls for action: in France, less than 0.1% of metropolitan waters are actually protected from destructive fishing. In collaboration with the Coalition Océan, a group of associations, artists and scientists mobilized around this essential cause, the “Récifs” show brings together art and activism.

A creation by Collectif Minuit 12; Choreography: Pauline Lida, Justine Sène, Jade Verda With the participation of Inès Ramdane; Musical composition: Arabic Flavor Music.

Saturday, June 7, 8:30 p.m.

VOCAL ENSEMBLE Les Voix Animées

Listening to the sea

Vocal Ensemble Les Voix Animées takes us on a musical voyage across the seas and oceans, exploring a repertoire ranging from the Renaissance to popular and secular music. Celebrating the sea as a source of inspiration and timeless storytelling, their concerts blend ancient polyphonies, sea chanteys and modern creations, offering an original sonic immersion for young and old alike.

THE SCIENCE BAR

A chance to meet some of the world’s leading scientists, activists and artists ocean artists

In partnership with the Pythéas Observatory for the Sciences of the Universe (CNRS, AMU, IRD, INRAE)

The Bar des sciences, a relaxing afterwork to help you rethink the world (for the better), invites you to chat with scientists, artists and representatives of civil society about the major issues facing the oceans today, over a drink. Hosted by Natacha Triou, journalist and producer of France Culture’s “La Science CQFD” program, these interactive gatherings make scientific knowledge accessible in a convivial atmosphere, encouraging reflection and commitment to preserving the marine world.

Thursday, June 5, 6:30-8 p.m.

ENCOUNTERING BIOLUMINESCENCE & OTHER MARVELOUS CURIOSITIES

Dive into the fascinating world of bioluminescence and extraordinary sea creatures in a scientific and poetic exploration of underwater lights and the mysteries of the deep.

With : Jeanne Maingot-Lépéefrom the Institut Méditérranéen d’Océanologie (AMU, CNRS, IRD, Université de Toulon) ; Jeremie Brugidouartist and Christopher Yggdrecurator of the exhibition “À la rencontre de la bioluminescence”.

Friday, June 6, 6:30-8 p.m.

PROTECT THE OCEAN! YES, BUT HOW?

Essential for biodiversity and ocean preservation, truly protected marine areas in fact represent just 0.1% of metropolitan waters. How and where should these zones be set up, where certain human activities are prohibited? What other measures would be most effective? Elected representatives, scientists and ocean protectors will discuss the challenges and solutions for effective protection of marine environments.

With: Aurore AssoNice Côte d’Azur municipal and metropolitan councillor in charge of marine environment protection; Sandrine RuittonAix-Marseille University lecturer at Institut Méditérranéen d’Océanologie (AMU, CNRS, IRD, Université de Toulon); François Saranooceanographer and marine biologist. Former scientific director on Captain Jacques Cousteau’s team; and Zoé Lavocatcampaign manager for theBloom Association.

Saturday, June 7, 6:30-8 p.m.

TAKE ACTION!

Global warming, overexploitation of resources, pollution … the ocean, vital for humanity, is under pressure! We can all take action to help preserve it. But what actions can we take, each in his or her own area?

With : Guillaume Nérydouble world champion freediver, Laurent ChauvaudCNRS research director at the Marine Environment Sciences Laboratory (UBO, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer) ; and Nathalie Van Den Broeck (to be confirmed), from Surfrider, an environmental NGO dedicated to protecting the oceans.

WORKSHOPS & EXPERIMENTS

From seaweed cooking to bioluminescent imagination, from a sensory walk to the discovery of water-related plants to seabird observation, these moments will invite the public to reconnect with nature through creation, the senses and knowledge.

Friday, June 6, 4-6 p.m.

My bioluminescent world, with artist Jérémie Brugidou

Workshop for young audiences

After a visit to the exhibition dedicated to bioluminescence, children are invited to create fabulous stories about underwater life, using words, drawings, various tools, but above all their imagination!

Saturday, June 7, 9-11:30 a.m.

Seabirds at Mont Alban, with the Ligue de Protection des oiseaux

Nature walk

Guided by an expert from the LPO – Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux – of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, this walk offers the opportunity to observe a variety of seabird species that frequent this remarkable coastal area.

Saturday and Sunday, 12h-18h

Marine worlds

Fun workshops designed by Institut Pytheas teams

Saturday and Sunday, 3pm-4.30pm

New flavors

Discover and taste seafood recipes

Consumed for thousands of years in Asia, and prized for their health benefits, seaweed is a highly attractive alternative to fish, vegetables and cereals. Accompanied by chefs, discover new flavors

showcasing these marine treasures.

Sunday, June 8, 4-6 p.m.

The earth remembers water with Kalice Brun and Eve Pietruschi

Sensitive walking

With the blue of the sea as the horizon, this immersive experience focuses on the olfaction of hydrolats from Mediterranean plants linked to the element of water, such as pistachio
lentisque, carob tree and criste marine, inviting participants to melt into the colors, scents and poetic sweetness of life.

Sunday June 8th

With Surfrider

Big bath for the ocean

On World Oceans Day, all ocean lovers are invited to take part in a symbolic swim to highlight the urgent need to preserve the oceans. Every day, this vast blue sea suffers a little more from human activities – every second, for example, 256 kilos of plastic waste are dumped; at this rate, in a few years’ time, there will be more plastic in the seas than fish! – Join this collective action to raise awareness and protect the seas!

Practical information to follow.

Every day during site opening hours

Chefko’s vegan food truck

Food and drink

Offering a selection of entirely vegan dishes, chef Kevin Lejade creates dishes based on fresh, local and organic ingredients, specially designed for this festival. And don’t miss his seaweed-based culinary proposals!

In an exceptional location
THE MONT ALBAN FORT

In collaboration with the city’s Ville d’art et d’histoire department, we have chosen an exceptional heritage site to host the event: the Fort du Mont Alban.

It’s one of the town’s little-known treasures, open only a few days a year on Heritage Days. With a 180° view of the sea, the Fort, overlooking the Old Port, is immersed in nature. For the festival, we’ll be taking over its four casemates, roof and perimeter.

Built in the 16th century at the instigation of Emmanuel Philibert, Duke of Savoy, the Mont Alban Fort served as the border between the Savoy and Nice states, and was occupied by military troops from time to time.

Strategically placed between the Château de Nice and the Citadelle de Villefranche, it dominates the entire Côte d’Azur, and the panorama from its terrace is simply incredible. The Mont Alban fort has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1909 for the enclosure, 1913 for the surrounding walls and ditches, and 1923 for the 250-meter zone on which it is built.