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INTERNATIONAL MEETINGS |
| The Lugano Congress hall hosted the 8th
and most successful edition of the International Underwater Image Biennial - 2001
Odyssey in Blue, from the peaks to the depths -from the 1 to 3 February 2001. The
response was extremely positive both from the first-time visitors and especially
from aficionados who have followed the event from it's inception; the foreign guests
were enthusiastic and researchers interested in an event which they see as an excellent
chance to reach a wide range of people of all ages and all ranks. At the core of the event were the DIAPORAMAS (or Slide-shows), including some of the best in Europe by some of the most brilliant authors: in particular Lionel Pozzoli and Frédéric Di Meglio from France, Pierfranco Dilenge, Giovanni Evalli, Andrea Giulianini and Andrea Pivari from Italy, Mirko Zanni, Franco Banfi and Mauro Bernasconi from Switzerland. M. Bernasconi presented the fascinating mountain lakes of Barone, Tomeo, Sassolo and Cadagno, through the 2 different techniques of Diaporama and Video. John Boyle and Fionn C. Howieson from England showed an intriguing film on the life of strange nocturnal creatures, which left even the divers open-mouthed. The many visitors (estimated at around 4000) were again surprised and deeply moved by the high quality images, the stories told by the Diaporamas, and by the emotions they are able to evoke.   The 940 children and their teachers,
present during the primary school programme on Friday morning, expressed great enthusiasm
with their lively participation. Amongst them were around 40 children from Chernobyl,
currently guests in the southern part of Switzerland, the Ticino.The 4th class of the Bertaccio School in Lugano also provided some wonderful stage decorations. Friday afternoon, reserved for high school visitors, saw some 250 students follow the conferences and Slide shows. The special theme of the Festival, which moved between two diametrically opposite aquatic environments: ALPINE LAKES and CORAL REEFS, helped to awaken the interest not only of sea lovers but also of those addicted to the mountains. The Lugano Biennial examined the links between these two universes - a story lasting over a million years - presenting many diverse proposals, in particular: the interesting conference given by Dr. Mosello, of the Italian Hydro Biological Institute in Pallanza and Dr. Pascale Joannot of Numéa (New Caledonia) the exhibition presented by Dr. Guido Cotti, which caught the attention of the public by using blow-ups of marine life and enchanting images of alpine lakes, taken by the underwater photographer Mauro Bernasconi.   The exhibition
was completed with a collective photographic display, full of visual and scientific
points, showing life on the coral reef in vivid detail, by three outstanding underwater
photographers from Bari, Mariano Fiore, Enrico Amati and Giuseppe Pignataro. An interesting exhibition on the Piora Alp and Lake Cadagno, prepared by pupils of the Cantonal High Schools in Hall B, was a further point of interest for the many visitors and for biology teachers, who took part in the workshop on the theme ėReefs and Lakes - possible comparisons' organised especially for the occasion by the Department of Culture and Study in collaboration with Prof. Raffaele Peduzzi. The speakers were of international renown. A very special show was prepared by the Group 3D, authors of three-dimensional slides, in particular the underwater images by Bernard Rothan (F), Walter Senn (CH) and Johannes Hiterkircher (D), which moved spectators into an incredible dimension; we could also admire (and almost touch) the fabulous crystals and marine fossils by Nicolas Engler (CH) and Franco Brughera (CH). In the video corner prize winning works from the Antibes Underwater Image Festival were shown, together with videos chosen by the organisers, and those previous winners of the Biennial. Like other years, there were a high number of entrants to the competition, especially in the slide and slide-show categories. (The competition winners) This years event also saw the institution of the Hermann Heberlein Trophy, in honour of the memory of the great Swiss pioneer of underwater research and photography. His wife, Mrs Erna Heberlein was present at the awards ceremony, which took place on Saturday. She also entertained spectators with accounts of her beginnings in underwater diving, and of the great characters of the period, like Duilio Marcante. The other brilliant guest of honour, Nardo Vicente, collaborator and representative of the Paul Ricard Oceanographic Institute of Marseilles, presented a stimulating CD-rom "Kampi" on the Mediterranean. A modern system shown as an enchanting game, targeted to both adults and children, allowing us to better know our nearest sea. The Biennial was visited by representatives from both Supporters, Lionel Pozzoli for CMAS and Paolo Bertelli for the Genova Aquarium (also present with their own stand), and both expressed their utmost satisfaction with the contents as well as the organisation of the event. The atrium of the Congress Hall hosted, beside the exhibition, some stands with the displays. As well as the FSSS (Swiss Federation for Underwater Sports) other stands like FIAS (Italian Federation for Underwater Activities), present at the Biennial for the first time, and the Papua New Guinea Divers Association. The "Stumpfl" stand was of great interest, with its equipment for the production of audio-visuals. The public could also visit stands for underwater equipment, vacations, magazines, juwels and underwater books. During the final evening, skilfully conducted by Gino Buscaglia, the makers of the Diaporamas and Videos, shown during the Festival, were each presented with a gift, while the Councillor of State, the Hon. Marco Borradori, after greeting the public, underlined the importance of positive communication to improve our knowledge of the environment and its delicate equilibrium. The organisers wish to thank the main Sponsors and everyone who contributed to the success of the 2001 edition. |
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