Canal sargassi

Have you ever taken a moment to watch the seaweed swaying in the city's canals? Have you ever wondered who they are, what they hide, what they have to say?

In a lagoon of mud and sand, the edges of the city's canals — lined with Istrian stone — become a favored anchor for algae that thrive on solid surfaces. They are everywhere, in constant motion, yet they elude our gaze, veiled by the water’s reflective surface or tangled into indistinct masses. We notice them, yet we fail to truly see them. We reduce them to fleeting descriptions—"brown tentacles", "salad-like", "red hairs" —words that blur nuances and strip away their complexity. Yet, for those who pause, for those who observe with attentiveness, these same algae reveal stories, delicate and silent worlds that echo the transformations of the lagoon.

In this first activation of Convivial Tables: shifting landscapes, participants will be invited to walk through the city’s waters, guided by marine biologist and algae expert Bruno La Rocca. This is not merely an act of gathering but of naming, of giving voice to the algae—recognizing each species encountered, restoring its identity and meaning. A gesture of awareness and care for these aquatic ecosystems, too often overlooked. The foraging walk will conclude at Ocean Space, where, with Bruno’s guidance, participants will create a lagoon algarium, collecting and drying the species found along the canals. From this initial act of collection, the marine gardens—the thread running through this edition of Convivial Tables—will begin to take shape.

The event is free and open to everyone, but participants under 14 years old must be accompanied by an adult.

The day includes a walk of approximately one hour, so please wear comfortable clothing and footwear and bring a water bottle.

In case of bad weather or uncertain conditions, please check your email for updates. The Ocean Space team will contact you if the event needs to be rescheduled or confirmed.

Bruno La Rocca has served as the Delegate Representative for the National Order of Biologists in the Province of Padua. He has lectured at the University of Padua, teaching the Master's course on "Biodiversity and Adaptive Strategies of Marine Photosynthetic Organisms," where he also led seminars. Bruno has worked as an educational operator for the Municipality of Venice’s Educational Services and for "Water Civilisation." He collaborates with the Natural Science Museum of Venice and is a member of the Venetian Natural Science Society. Since 1982, he has authored seven texts on lagoon biodiversity and co-written scientific publications with professors from the Universities of Padua and Venice.