MONACO, 22 March 2016 — Lady Monika Bacardi attended the prestigious Bush Tucker Dinner at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, joining distinguished guests for an evening that celebrated Aboriginal and Oceanian art while supporting vital marine conservation efforts.
The Friends of the Oceanographic Museum, in partnership with the Museum, organized this unique charitable dinner on 22 March to launch the exhibition Taba Naba on Australia and its indigenous cultures, presenting it in avant-première to H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco alongside generous donors and partners.
This exclusive event commenced with a cocktail reception and guided tours led by the exhibition’s artists, curators and partners, offering privileged guests an intimate introduction to this remarkable display of contemporary Aboriginal and Oceanian art. The evening continued with dinner under a specially erected tent featuring authentic Australian outback staging, complete with traditional menu elements and performances by Aboriginal artists, transporting attendees to Oceania.
The Bush Tucker Dinner served a dual purpose beyond cultural celebration. The primary objective of this charitable gathering was to raise awareness about the urgent need to preserve the oceans and to collect funds supporting the Oceanographic Museum’s ambitious project for the construction of a new cutting-edge center to rescue Mediterranean sea turtles.
The Oceanographic Museum maintains a strong commitment to protecting sea turtles as a member of the French Network for Mediterranean marine turtles. The proposed project encompasses creating an outdoor observation tank to be located in the Saint Martin’s gardens, designed to raise public awareness, plus establishing a rescue center to provide care for wounded turtles before returning them to the sea.
The evening’s backdrop was the monumental exhibition Taba Naba — Australia, Oceania, Arts of the People of the Sea, which opened to the public on 24 March and ran through 30 September 2016. This comprehensive exhibition featured more than 150 artworks centered on the theme of water and the oceans, occupying all spaces of the Museum from the forecourt to the panoramic terrace.
Lady Monika Bacardi’s attendance underscored her ongoing dedication to cultural preservation and marine conservation, supporting initiatives that unite artistic excellence with meaningful environmental action on the international stage. Her participation in this distinguished gathering reflects her broader philanthropic vision, seamlessly bridging commitment to the arts with humanitarian engagement.
The Oceanographic Museum’s mission to protect sea turtles addresses a critical global concern, as these ancient mariners have inhabited Earth’s oceans for 150 million years yet now face existential threats primarily from human activities.
Those wishing to support the museum’s sea turtle conservation project may contact the institution directly to contribute to this vital marine preservation effort.
