2 Sep
Exhibition on "The French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF)" in Monaco
The Grimaldi Forum is hosting an exhibition on the French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF) from 8 to 27 September 2015
An exhibition of stopovers at the end of the world
The Grimaldi Forum Monaco is offering an opportunity to find out about the French Southern and Antarctic Lands through an exhibition in its glass-roofed exhibition area from 8 to 27 September 2015 (open to all, admission free).
This portrayal of the most unusual and exotic of French overseas territories will enable visitors of all ages to discover both the tropics and the "White Continent."
The territories are very varied, with unique biodiversity, unspoiled by human activities.
The various islands are under military protection. They are inhabited only by winter visitors - military personnel and scientists, who live there for a few months to a year. These islands are extremely isolated geographically, and the very limited number of inhabitants makes them extremely important scientifically and environmentally.
The French Southern and Antarctic Lands are divided into five districts. Each year, they are host to 225 French and foreign researchers on the bases, who are involved in around sixty programmes.
This is a unique opportunity for the public to find out about the exceptional fauna and flora of these territories, which are of great ecological interest.
This exhibition, entitled "Stopovers at the End of the World," arose from a partnership between the TAAF and Philippe Ortelli, a Monegasque businessman. It was created by Bruno Marie and Stéphanie Légeron as part of the 60th anniversary of these overseas territories (created on 6 August 1955).
The designers of the exhibition are also preparing a beautiful book on the TAAF, from the tropics to the Antarctic, to be published in September 2015.
Echoing the Grimaldi Forum Monaco's environmental commitment
The Grimaldi Forum, which has been awarded ISO 14001 certification, also has the mission of raising the awareness of its professional and leisure public of the importance of protecting the environment.
Many different activities have therefore been developed to inform the public of the actions and solutions that have been implemented at our congress and cultural centre with regard to environmental issues that concern us all.
The creation of its digital magazine "Monaco Act Green," which is devoted to sustainable development, and its participation in the Monacology fair in association with the Prince Albert II Foundation, demonstrate the Grimaldi Forum's commitment to raising environmental awareness.
It is therefore perfectly natural that the Grimaldi Forum is hosting the exhibition "Stopovers at the End of the World" to highlight these unusual territories, which have become "Lands of Science and Conservation."