AQABA, Sept. 22 (Petra) -- The second season of the "Voices of Coral" project was launched Monday at the Aqaba Marine Reserve, highlighting the ecological and tourism value of the Gulf of Aqaba’s coral reefs through art.
Organized by the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) in cooperation with the Embassy of Switzerland in Jordan, the project aims to raise public awareness of the importance of coral reefs and showcase the marine biodiversity of Aqaba through artistic expression.
ASEZA Commissioner for Tourism and Youth Thabet Al-Nabulsi said the project provides an opportunity to introduce Aqaba, particularly its marine reserve, and highlight the rich biodiversity found in its waters.
He stressed the importance of the partnership with the Swiss Embassy in bringing knowledge about the marine environment to the public, noting that the project could be expanded in future seasons to reach audiences in different countries and cultures.
Swiss Embassy Deputy Head of Mission Hannah Fasnacht said "Voices of Coral" is linked to scientific cooperation between Jordan and Switzerland through the Transboundary Red Sea Center (TRSC), which studies coral reefs in the Gulf of Aqaba.
She said the inclusion of the Aqaba Marine Reserve on the UNESCO World Heritage List was an important milestone in highlighting the exceptional value of its coral reef ecosystem. She also stressed the importance of bringing scientific knowledge from the laboratory to the wider community through art and storytelling.
Nasser Zawaydeh, Director of the Aqaba Marine Reserve, said the second season follows the strong public response to the first edition. He explained that the project combines environmental awareness with tourism promotion by highlighting the importance of coral reefs, introducing the reserve to the public, and promoting Aqaba as an environmental and tourism destination.
This year’s edition features 12 Jordanian and Swiss artists who will draw on their experiences and knowledge of the marine environment to create artworks and visual stories aimed at reaching a wider audience, particularly young people.
Zawaydeh said the resulting works will be exhibited at Aqaba Castle and opened to the public upon completion, giving visitors an opportunity to learn about the coral reefs of the Gulf of Aqaba through the participating artworks.
The launch ceremony was attended by Mike Derderian, founder of Fanzeen magazine,Samuel Gardaz, General Manager of the Transnational Red Sea Center at the EPFL, as well as a number of people interested in the marine environment and cultural activities in Aqaba. //Petra//WH
