Malmö marks World Ocean Day in its first underwater park

On 8 June 2025, Malmö hosted a vibrant celebration of World Ocean Day at the South Wharf Basin, marking its first underwater park. The event brought together artists, researchers, firefighters, divers, and ocean advocates including the Bauhaus of the Seas Ocean Ambassadors to inspire community engagement.

The full‑day programme ran from 11:00 to 16:00 and featured a sensory performance called  Strandfynd by the Rebell Guitar Quartet with dancers Lisa Holström and Petra Nilsson. The media artist Ellen Bjerborn introduced the Creator Book and led reflective drawing and writing sessions about personal connections to the sea.

Sound artists John Cowhie and Lucy Cathcart Frödén shared audio pieces based on marine recordings, while interaction designer Josefine Klintberg showcased “underwater binoculars” installations – 360° videos depicting the basin’s evolution over the past 250 years and imagining its future.

A new ocean literacy study circle was also launched to deepen participants’ understanding of marine life. Multiple hands‑on workshops with artists Eileen Laurie, Therese Carnemalm and Lucy Catchcart Frödén invited attendees to create land art with basin materials, craft ceramic tiles from sea‑sourced elements in “Tales in Tiles,” and engage in collaborative storytelling through “I Wish I Was a Black‑Spotted Goby,” embodying the perspective of one of Malmö’s smallest fish. 

The event concluded with a co‑creative session, during which the public envisioned future transformations for the Södra Varvsbassängen underwater park – focusing on enhancing biodiversity, inclusivity, and community engagement.

The day was organised by the Bauhaus of the Seas Sails project partners Marine Education Center, The School of Arts and Communication and The Forum for Social Innovation of the Malmö University,  with the support of Malmö Municipality while the attendance was free for all interested participants.

Land Art with the Ocean Ambassadors Eileen Laurie, Therese Carnemalm and Lucy Cathcart Frödén

Strandfynd by the Rebell Guitar Quartet with dancers Lisa Holström and Petra Nilsson

Land Art with the Ocean Ambassadors Eileen Laurie, Therese Carnemalm and Lucy Cathcart Frödén

Malmö Sports Diving Club cleaned the bottom of Södra Varvsbassängen underwater park

Participants reflected on their relationship with the ocean through the gentle rhythms of crafting tiles from ocean materials

Land Art with the Ocean Ambassadors Eileen Laurie, Therese Carnemalm and Lucy Cathcart Frödén