We Did It! Madeira Whale Fest 2024: A Splash of Fun, Learning, and Art!
The pilot project of our Service Learning initiative in Madeira was a massive success!
"Madeira Whale Fest-2024 "- an initiative that brings together marine biologists, artists, eco-activists, community centres and volunteers.
And no, it’s not the end—it’s only the beginning of an annual adventure! Madeira Whale Fest 2025 is coming.
Bringing together Greener Act, Lobosonda, Museu do Baleia da Madeira, Ocean Devotion Madeira, SocioHabitaFunchal E.M., VMT Madeira, The Municipality of Machico, the Municipality of Funchal, the Seixal Naval Club, the Regional Directorate of Tourism, and the Regional Government of Madeira (RAM).
We all together aimed to produce an event that would cause waves—in a literal sense—as part of the worldwide Madeira Whale Heritage Area initiative.
The goal? Start a conversation about the ocean, marine life (especially our whale and dolphin pals), and how to protect them through sustainable tourism.
The idea behind our project, with Madeira Whale Fest as the shining pilot, was learning through doing—and as an arts association, we led the way through ART!
This whole project "Service Learning -Empowering Youth through Cultural Impact" No.: 2023-1-PL01-KA210-YOU-000156000 has been a year in the making, thanks to our awesome partners from Poland, Spain, and Greece! 🌍 co-funded by the Erasmus+ program of the EU, it's all about sparking the volunteering spirit in young people through hands-on activities and learning by doing.
Summer Vibes & Art Fun
Throughout the summer of 2024, our volunteers and partner organizations started the conversation with eco-friendly art workshops. Alongside marine biologists, we taught kids from summer camps about the lives of whales, dolphins, and the dangers of plastic in the ocean. Together, we drew marine creatures and played eco-games with children from SocioHabita Funchal community centers, APEL School, and more.
But that’s not all—thanks to our whale-watching partners Lobosonda and VMT Madeira, we even took to the seas on catamarans to see whales in real life! Talk about up-close and personal with nature!
Whale Museum Goes Big: Our awesome partners at the Whale Museum didn’t just talk the talk—they held scientific sessions to dive deep into the world of cetaceans (fancy word for whales, dolphins, and porpoises!).
Art, Ocean, and Fire: We also launched the "Islands 2024: Ocean and Fire" art exhibition, featuring the works of 15 local and international artists.
Among them were drawings made by kids during our summer camps, showcasing their artistic takes on marine life.
Around 450 people came to check it out—yep, it was that cool!
A highlight of our exhibition, curated by more than 10 of our amazing volunteers, was the section dedicated to the wildfires.
In August 2024, Madeira faced devastating fires that destroyed over 11% of the island’s forests.
But out of that tragedy, an incredible volunteer movement was born. People from all walks of life—locals, expats, young and old—came together in just one day to collect water, supplies, and essential items for firefighters and those displaced from danger zones. This grassroots effort became a shining example of volunteer spirit, perfectly aligning with our project’s goal of protecting the island’s ecology through hands-on, real-world action in the heart of a crisis. 🔥
Eco-Parade & Recycled Fashion
Another highlight? The “Protect the Ocean - Reuse, Don’t Pollute” parade! ♻️ Led by SocioHabita Funchal, 50 participants strutted their stuff with eco-friendly accessories made from recycled ocean litter. And let’s not forget the awesome beats from Macetitas Percussion Group, who got everyone vibing.
Whale Photography Exhibit.
It was also launched the "Cetacean Biodiversity of Madeira" photography exhibition, featuring incredible shots of 13 different species of whales and dolphins! This exhibit even caught the eye of local tourism officials, and it was also showcased at the Farmer’s Market.
Finally, we wrapped things up with a fun-filled celebration at the Whale Museum- Arraial das beleias , packed with cultural and educational activities that had something for everyone—kids and adults alike.
All of this was powered by volunteers, from the artwork to the parade and beyond. A massive thank you to everyone who participated and made this festival a reality!
The Ripple Effect
The numbers tell an inspiring story: 30 dedicated volunteers, 160 young participants, 10 masterclasses, and countless moments of wonder and learning. But the real impact goes beyond statistics. We're seeing a new wave of environmental awareness sweep through Madeira's youth, creating connections between different communities and fostering a deeper appreciation for our marine heritage.
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