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The French Institute in India and its partners – the Alliance française Delhi, Dakshin Foundation, the French Development Agency, Mongabay India, Oceanopolis, Nausicaa, Tara Ocean Foundation and Environmentalist Foundation of India – are inviting you to take part of the Festival of Ideas – We are the Ocean, happening at the Alliance française Delhi between May 3rd and May 25th. 

Dates : 03 May  – 25 May 2025, 11AM – 7PM 
Venue : Alliance Française Delhi (Galerie Romain Rolland and Auditorium)

Whether you are eager to learn, engage, or simply be inspired, it is the perfect place to start your oceanic journey.

  • Heard of the Climate Fresk? On May 4, we’re hosting the Ocean Collage — a fun and collaborative and free activity that helps you better understand the challenges facing our oceans. Want to join? Do not forget to register (Free, limited spots!)
  • Love sewing and want to do something socially impactful? Sign up for the SilaiWali Ocean-inspired workshop on 17 May!! You’ll not only learn the art of upcycling, but also dive into SilaiWali’s inspiring mission of eco-conscious design, refugee empowerment, and circular craft (500 INR, limited seats).
  • You’re a poet, a poetry lover, or someone who dreams of writing, don’t miss the chance to be part of our Open Mic Poetry event. Submit your proposal to perform your work on May 11 (Sunday) at the Alliance française Delhi.
  • Want to spark your creativity? Register for “The Rime of the Ocean”, an immersive poetry writing workshop by DilliPoetry on the theme of ocean and vastness – both inner and outer. – Click here to register (500 INR, limited spots)
  • Learning French and interested in comics? Don’t miss our French-language comics workshop — sign up here!

Highlights of the Event

We Are the Ocean invites visitors into an immersive, poetic journey through the many faces of the sea—its depths, its shores, and its surface.

Featuring artworks by French artists, the exhibition explores the ocean’s environmental, societal, and emotional significance through large-scale photographs, video projections, soundscapes, and interactive installations, including VR experiences.

With a focus on fragility and resilience, the exhibition raises awareness of pressing ecological issues while offering moments of reflection and inspiration.

A dedicated reading area and public activities complete this inclusive, eco-conscious space designed to educate, engage, and inspire.

This exhibition invites you to meet the women and men whose lives are deeply connected to the sea. These portraits reveal the faces behind India’s fisheries sector, each playing a vital role in a complex value chain.

More than just a visual journey, “Faces of the Oceans” highlights the ocean’s essential contributions to livelihoods, food security, and climate resilience. It offers a human perspective on marine ecosystems and the urgent need to protect them.

The exhibition also highlights the work of the French Development Agency (AFD) in supporting India’s blue economy, through a project co-financed with the World Bank and the Department of Fisheries aimed at helping the fisheries sector recover in the aftermath of the Covid-19 crisis.

We invite you to reflect, connect, and celebrate the strength of communities living in harmony with the ocean.

If you’re a passionate reader, the Ocean Library at We Are the Ocean is a must-visit! Whether you want to dive back into Jules Verne’s 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, or explore the ocean through the lens of Indian literature—from Amitav Ghosh to Rudyard Kipling—this cozy reading space is made for you.

Surrounded by the soothing soundscapes of French artist Antoine Bertin, come relax and immerse yourself in stories of the sea. We also have a delightful selection of ocean-themed books just for kids—perfect for young explorers!

Come read, dream, and discover the ocean like never before.

Throughout the festival, the We Are the Ocean KIDS program offers a wide range of engaging and educational activities designed especially for children.

From short film screenings and VR experiences that let kids interact with plankton or dive into virtual ocean expeditions, to a cozy reading corner featuring a curated selection of ocean-themed books in French and English — from timeless classics to colorful pop-up stories — there’s something to spark every young imagination.

The festival also collaborates with schools to organize guided visits and curated programs, including creative workshops and a collaborative “ocean collage game” activity.

Curious to know more or get involved?

Event Schedule

3:00 PM | MEDITATIVE NAP | Phytoplanktonic Conversations by Antoine Bertin
A calm musical journey reflecting on our interconnectedness with phytoplankton, how they produce most of the oxygen that humans breathe, and how they perceive the universe as they float just under the surface of the ocean.

4:00 PM | SCREENING | Tales of the Sea | Children 3+
Three animated shorts to discover the sea worlds: The Little Red Paper Boat (13 min), Enco, a Steam Journey (17 min), and The Sandman (15 min).

5:00 PM | DEBATE | Saving Our Seas: One Ocean at a Time with Ocean’s experts
This discussion will explore old and new solutions such as MPAs, the 30×30 agenda, and their viability.

6:30 PM | SCREENING | Bigger than Us by Flore Vasseur
Melati Wijsen travels the world to meet young activists who have already helped the world with their perseverance and selflessness.

8:15 PM | DEBATE | Youth As Catalyst: Are we listening to the generation that inherits the planet? with young environmental activists
This debate explores the growing influence of youth in climate and conservation movements, and asks whether their voices are being meaningfully included in decision-making for the future they’ll inherit.

9:00 PM | MEET-UP | Connect around the Ocean
A networking hour to foster dialogues and connect scientists, researchers, action groups, and interesting individuals.

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | WORKSHOP | The Ocean Collage with EFI
A fun, innovative, and collaborative workshop to raise awareness on current ocean issues and the impact of human activities on marine ecosystems. [REGISTER HERE]

11:30 AM | KIDS SCREENING | Little Tales Under the Ocean (French) | Children 3+
Five animated shorts to discover the world under the ocean: The Penguin’s Jump (5 min), Little Cousteau (8 min), Idodo (10 min), The Sailor and the Leaf (6 min), The Herring (9 min).

3:00 PM | MEDITATIVE NAP | Phytoplanktonic Conversations by Antoine Bertin
A calm musical journey reflecting on our interconnectedness with phytoplankton, how they produce most of the oxygen that humans breathe, and how they perceive the universe as they float just under the surface of the ocean.

9:00 AM | POETRY WORKSHOP | Rime of the Ocean

Dillipoetry invites you to a two-hour-long immersive poetry workshop using Ocean as a theme. This workshop will guide participants through a blend of facilitated reflection, creative writing exercises, and absurd intermingling of medium – literary, movement-based, and visual – to engage with themes like freedom, grief, and possibility. It will explore the theme of ocean & vastness – both inner and outer. [REGISTRATIONS CLOSED]

ALL DAY LONG | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Crafts Corner, Ocean Library, VR Experiences

Dive in the ocean deep with Jim Curious using his 3D glasses; dance to the sound of the waves with our ocean drums; get inspired to write your own letter to UNOC; immerse yourself into the magical world of the ocean using VR casks or simply use your imagination to draw the most fantastic sea creatures. The Ocean is yours.

3:00 PM | KIDS SCREENING | Tales of the Sea | Children 3+

3 silent animated shorts to discover the sea worlds : “The little red paper boat” (13min), “Enco, a steam journey” (17min) and “The sandman” (15min).

4:00 PM | MEDITATIVE NAP | Phytoplanktonic Conversations by Antoine Bertin

A calm musical journey reflecting on our interconnectedness with phytoplankton, how they produce most of the oxygen that humans breathe, and how they perceive the universe, as they float, just under the surface of the ocean.

ALL DAY LONG | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Crafts Corner, Ocean Library, VR Experiences 

Dive in the ocean deep with Jim Curious using his 3D glasses; dance to the sound of the waves with our ocean drums; get inspired to write your own letter to UNOC; immerse yourself into the magical world of the ocean using VR casks or simply use your imagination to draw the most fantastic sea creatures. The ocean is yours.

12:00 PM | MEDITATIVE NAP | Phytoplanktonic Conversations by Antoine Bertin

A calm musical journey reflecting on our interconnectedness with phytoplankton, how they produce most of the oxygen that humans breathe, and how they perceive the universe, as they float, just under the surface of the ocean.

6:00 PM | OPEN MIC | Café des poètes : Poetry from the Shore

Share your work, connect with fellow poets, and be part of an evening dedicated to the art of spoken word in an immersive oceanic space. The theme is Ocean — it may flow through your poem as imagery, metaphor, or the very heart of your piece. [APPLY HERE]

ALL DAY LONG | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Crafts Corner, Ocean Library, VR Experiences 

Dive in the ocean deep with Jim Curious using his 3D glasses; dance to the sound of the waves with our ocean drums; get inspired to write your own letter to UNOC; immerse yourself into the magical world of the ocean using VR casks or simply use your imagination to draw the most fantastic sea creatures. The ocean is yours.

2:00 PM – 5:30 PM | The Ocean Collage workshop facilitated by High Environmental and Social Impact India 

A fun, innovative and collaborative workshop opened exclusively for the students of Alliance française to understand the complexities of the ocean and the impact of human activities on the marine ecosystems. 

12:00 PM | MEDITATIVE NAP | Phytoplanktonic Conversations by Antoine Bertin

A calm musical journey reflecting on our interconnectedness with phytoplankton, how they produce most of the oxygen that humans breathe, and how they perceive the universe, as they float, just under the surface of the ocean.

6:30 PM | SCREENING | Against the Tide by Sarvnik Kaur

Bombay fishermen Rakesh and Ganesh are inheritors of the Koli knowledge system of harvesting the sea following the moon and the tides. Rakesh has kept faith in the traditional fishing methods; Ganesh has instead embraced technology.

8:00 PM | DEBATE | Sustainable Seafood: Whose Job Is It, Really?

This discussion explores whether the responsibility for sustainable seafood lies with fishers, consumers, businesses, or policymakers—or whether true change demands collective accountability across the entire supply chain.

ALL DAY LONG | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Crafts Corner, Ocean Library, VR Experiences 

Dive in the ocean deep with Jim Curious using his 3D glasses; dance to the sound of the waves with our ocean drums; get inspired to write your own letter to UNOC; immerse yourself into the magical world of the ocean using VR casks or simply use your imagination to draw the most fantastic sea creatures. The ocean is yours.

11:00 AM | WORKSHOP | Ocean Comics workshop in French !
Practice your French language skills with this workshop mixing comics and ocean. [REGISTER HERE]

11:00 AM | SCREENING | Tales of the Sea | Children 3+

3 animated shorts to discover the sea worlds : “The little red paper boat” (13min), “Enco, a steam journey” (17min)  and “The sandman” (15min).

4:00 PM | WORKSHOP | Silaiwali workshop | 500 INR, upon prior registration [REGISTER HERE]

Through this two-hour workshop, you will not only learn the art of upcycling but also immerse yourself in Silaiwali’s mission of eco-conscious design, refugee empowerment, and circular craft.

ALL DAY LONG | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Crafts Corner, Ocean Library, VR Experiences 

Dive in the ocean deep with Jim Curious using his 3D glasses; dance to the sound of the waves with our ocean drums; get inspired to write your own letter to UNOC; immerse yourself into the magical world of the ocean using VR casks or simply use your imagination to draw the most fantastic sea creatures. The Ocean is yours. Last day to enjoy it!

11:00 AM | SCREENING | Tales of the Sea | Children 3+

3 animated shorts to discover the sea worlds : “The little red paper boat” (13min), “Enco, a steam journey” (17min)  and “The sandman” (15min).

2:00 PM | SCREENING | A selection of documentaries curated by Dakshin Foundation

ALL DAY LONG | 10 AM – 6 PM | Crafts Corner, Ocean Library, VR Experiences 

Dive in the ocean deep with Jim Curious using his 3D glasses; dance to the sound of the waves with our ocean drums; get inspired to write your own letter to UNOC; immerse yourself into the magical world of the ocean using VR casks or simply use your imagination to draw the most fantastic sea creatures. The Ocean is yours.

6:30 PM | SCREENING | Les Gardiennes de la planète by Jean-Albert Lievre

A humpback whale is beached on a remote shore. During the fight to save its life, we will discover the story of these extraordinary creatures, denizens of the world’s oceans. Inspired by Heathcote William’s bestselling book, WHALE NATION takes us on a journey of discovery into the unexplored territories and barely known society of whales, with their remarkable abilities and incredibly rich and complex social lives.

ALL DAY LONG | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Crafts Corner, Ocean Library, VR Experiences 

Dive in the ocean deep with Jim Curious using his 3D glasses; dance to the sound of the waves with our ocean drums; get inspired to write your own letter to UNOC; immerse yourself into the magical world of the ocean using VR casks or simply use your imagination to draw the most fantastic sea creatures. The Ocean is yours. Last day to enjoy it!

3:00 PM | WORKSHOP | Upcycling Workshop by Plasticwala

Learn the ins and outs of upcycling in this 3 hours workshop where you will learn how to make funny sea creatures out of non-recyclable material. [REGISTER HERE]

6:30 PM | SCREENING | Turtle Walker by Taira Malaney

Turtle Walker is a 2024 documentary film that tells the story of Satish Bhaskar, who embarked on an epic journey along India’s spectacular coastlines, living alongside rare sea turtles to unravel the mysteries that surround them.