What do children in the southern Azores dream about? What are the hopes of kids in the northern Lofoten and Vesterålen archipelago? And what visions do they have for the ocean? You’ll find the answers at the opening of the Oceans of Hope - Children’s Hopes for the Ocean exhibition, presented by The Whale and Andøy Municipality in collaboration with Bodø 2024.
Oceans of Hope is an initiative by The Whale, offering children and youth a platform to share their hopes and visions for the ocean. The project began with a youth conference in 2023, engaging hundreds of participants from Andøy and Mo i Rana. They explored topics such as the ocean, climate, and biodiversity.
Later in the year, workshops were held in the Azores and Andøy, where children reflected on the ocean’s significance and their future aspirations. These thoughts were shared in January 2024 during the “prelude” to Bodø 2024 in Andenes.
Now, as part of the closing of the European Capital of Culture year, you have the chance to experience Children’s Hopes for the Ocean in Bodø. The exhibition is a collaboration between The Whale, Andøy Municipality, and Bodø 2024.
Youth Leadership
This week, the Nordland Youth Council gathered in Bodø with around 100 participants from across the county. The exhibition was officially opened by the council’s chair, Emma-Sofie Olafsen from Narvik.
A Shared Whale Tradition
“The photos and quotes come from 25 children in Norway and Portugal. The children featured in Children’s Hopes are from Andøy in the northern Lofoten and Vesterålen archipelago and São Miguel in the southernmost Azores. Both regions are deeply connected through the ocean and whales, sharing a common whaling heritage and thriving whale-watching tourism. The sperm whales that migrate between these ocean regions unite us in our efforts to protect the ocean,” said Camilla Ilmoni of The Whale.
Window Display
On Friday, the exhibition will be transformed into a window display, viewable from the sidewalk outside Sjøgata 20. The exhibition will remain on display through November.
