Thalatta,Thalatta-a journey from hope to responsibility

“Thalatta, Thalatta!” is a floating cultural initiative designed as a citizen-engagement platform dedicated to strengthening ocean literacy and public awareness on marine protection across coastal regions in Greece. The initiative transforms a maritime route into an experiential space where contemporary art and poetry address pressing environmental challenges such as marine pollution, biodiversity loss and the human–sea relationship. Presented both on land and on board a passenger vessel, the project directly reaches diverse audiences including travellers, coastal communities, young people and visitors who may not traditionally engage with environmental discourse. By situating the exhibition within the marine environment itself, the action creates a powerful contextual learning experience. The sea is not presented as an abstract theme but as a live ecosystem. Through curated artworks, poetic interventions and interpretive material, participants are invited to reflect on personal responsibility, behavioural change and collective stewardship of ocean and water systems. The initiative contributes to the Mission objectives by: – Enhancing ocean literacy through accessible cultural mediation – Raising awareness about marine pollution and biodiversity protection – Engaging citizens beyond formal educational or scientific settings – Activating dialogue between culture, environment and society – Promoting participatory reflection and community engagement The project is designed as a scalable and replicable model that can travel along Greek coasts and islands and later across Mediterranean maritime routes, fostering transregional awareness and collaboration. “Thalatta, Thalatta!” demonstrates how cultural action can function as a complementary mechanism to scientific research and environmental restoration efforts, strengthening the societal dimension of ocean protection and contributing to long-term behavioural awareness. Through the implementation of “Thalatta, Thalatta!”, we commit to actively contribute to the objectives of the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters” by strengthening ocean literacy, fostering citizen engagement and promoting behavioural awareness in coastal communities.