“Hippos Travelling the World & Calling for Climate Action” children’s exhibition starts in Azerbaijan
On September 26, a tailor-made exhibition for children on climate action will open at the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art with the organizational support of the Azerbaijan National Museum of Art with UNICEF Azerbaijan, in partnership with the Ministry for Culture of Azerbaijan Republic and the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan Republic. The exhibition project is educational in nature, telling the new generation, children in particular, about the problems of climate change and environmental pollution, and the steps that need to be taken now to avoid catastrophic consequences.
The exhibition will feature exhibits from Lien Heikens her private collection of hippopotamuses, which are one of the many symbols of today’s catastrophic climate situation. The exhibition touches upon the increase in carbon emissions and environmental degradation left by human civilization, which can lead to irreversible changes in the significantly impacting the quality of life of children and the next generations. Of all the challenges children face in the world today, none is more far-reaching than the intensifying impact of climate change (UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell).
During the exhibition, «Earth Says», an animated film created by worldwide author Denis Thomopoulos will be screened, explaining to children the problems of environmental pollution, and ways to combat climate change on the planet. Also, within the framework of the project, and for the first time in the Azerbaijani language, a number of comic booklets from the Comics Uniting Nations series will be distributed to the public, aiming at educating the young generation about climate change. The exhibition will also feature information tours, presentations, and panel discussions on the environment and climate change, specific to children and youth.
The exhibition is also part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, a campaign which started in June this year and will run until 2030, calling for action to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems world. The exhibition will last until October 29.