Coral Festival 2023

Celebrating Our Coral Reefs

The aim of the Coral Festival was to engage Maldivians to better appreciate and understand the importance of their coral reefs and marine ecosystems to the economic and ecological well being of the Maldives, the Indian Ocean, and the planet.

We held our very first Coral Festival in 2020, just before the pandemic. That festival brought together attendees from the local island community, as well as respected local and international coral scientists, NGOs, environmental activists, ocean experts, schoolchildren and university students, industry representatives and artists. President Solih and a number of his cabinet ministers also attended and participated in the festival. A short highlights video of the festival can be found here

This year the Coral Festival was held in Addu Atoll at the Maldives National University campus in Hithadhoo with local partners and community taking part in the deployment of the festival and related happenings. School students participated in and organised an exciting and educational debate tournament that aimed to raise awareness about the climate crisis and threats to our ocean and natural environment. Students from Addu High School conceptualised and ran the debate showcasing their talents for organising and expressing their deep concern for our natural environment.

Environmental and other coral related NGO’s and local community organisations set up displays and stalls, where attendees could learn about their respective work, research, and new solutions, and participate in different exciting activities.

Apart from interactive activities, there were panel discussions and presentations from government, local stakeholders, NGO’s, artists and writers, and scientists doing cutting edge coral and marine research in the Maldives. Every evening there were film screenings and music performances.

The Festival proper concluded with a parade by the younger students from the local schools and festival goers. Beautiful costumes and placards raised issues concerning our environment and marine ecosystems.

This was followed by a day of excursions and workshops that took participants out into the beautiful nature of Addu and allowed NGO’s to share knowledge and best practices related to the marine environment.

See below links for details of festival activities: