To align with the theme of this year's French Science Festival, "Oceans of Knowledge", the Science Promotion Unit of the Hong Kong Science Museum (HKScM) is collaborating with the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau to roll out a series of free feature programmes from tomorrow (October 4) to October 14 at the museum. They include the "Oceans: A New Mining Treasure Trove?" exhibition, an inaugural conference, a virtual reality experience, and a film screening, enabling members of the public to understand the importance of marine ecosystem conservation.
      
     Addressing the opening ceremony of the exhibition today (October 3), the Deputy Director of Leisure and Cultural Services (Culture), Miss Eve Tam, said that Hong Kong, embraced by the sea on three sides, has transformed from a modest fishing village into an international metropolis. Over the years, this transformation has been a testament to the vital role the ocean has played in Hong Kong's development. While the sea offers a wealth of resources and opportunities, it also poses many challenges that call for the protection of the marine environment. Other officiating guests included the Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, Mrs Christile Drulhe, and the Museum Director of the HKScM, Mr Lawrence Lee.
      
     Amid growing concerns among the international community about deep-sea mining exploration projects, the "Oceans: A New Mining Treasure Trove?" exhibition will explore what people know about the deep sea, and the potential risks of seabed mining. The exhibition specially features a virtual reality experience titled "Dolphin Man", allowing audiences to be immersed in three 360° virtual reality spaces that follow divers and share their sensory perceptions of the underwater world.
      
     To complement the exhibition, the HKScM will also hold the Inaugural Conference on the Preservation of Oceans and Marine Resources at the Lecture Hall on the first floor of the HKScM on October 4. Two ambassadors for the French Science Festival 2024, the Founder of the Bling Bling Ocean Foundation, Ms Hidy Yu, and the Executive Director of the Tara Ocean Foundation, Mr Romain Troublé, will join Professor Joost Schokkenbroek from the University of Hong Kong to discuss the importance of marine conservation and explore ways to raise public awareness. There will be a film screening of "The Odyssey" on October 13 at the same venue. The film follows the life and adventures of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, a French ocean-going adventurer, biologist, and filmmaker, and documents his aquatic adventures over 30 years.
      
     Online registration for the programmes mentioned above has started. There will be limited quotas available on a first-come, first-served basis. For programme details and registration methods, please visit www.spu.hk/en/cards/french-science-festival-2024/, or call 2732 3232 for enquiries.
      
     The exhibition and programmes are presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, and are organised by the Science Promotion Unit of the HKScM and the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macau.

Ends/Thursday, October 3, 2024
Issued at HKT 18:50

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