Süddeutsche Zeitung – Nr. 221 – 25. September 2001 – Seite V2/10
The Big Blue (translation of original German article)
The largest aquarium in Europe, Acquario di Genova, brings its visitors into close contact with the creatures of the deep
When actor Jean-Marc Barr in his part as the famous diver Jacques Mayol isn’t competing with his rival, Enzo, he dances with dolphins, far beneath the surface of the sea. Luc Besson‘s Film “The Big Blue” from 1988 triggered a wave of enthusiasm for life in the mystical deep of the ocean. Now an IMAX film with a similar story has been made: “OceanMen“ was launched in Munich in September. “I like diving with sharks“, one of the actors, the Cuban Pipin Ferreras, says in the documentary.
It won’t be everybody’s cup of tea to become an “Oceanman“. But what if one still wants to explore the maritime flora and fauna? That can be done without getting your feet wet: One of the main attractions at the Acquario di Genova are four gigantic “oceanic pools“, in which sharks, dolphins and seals cavort. Featuring 10,000m2 of exhibition grounds and 600 different maritime species, the Acquario is the largest aquarium centre in Europe. The boat-shaped building with its inconspicuous exterior is set in Porto Antico, the old Genoa harbour, and was build by star architect Renzo Piano in 1992 as a kind of continuous homage to the seafarer Christopher Columbus.
More than 60 tanks display various aquatic sceneries, whose inhabitants devour about 20,000 kg of fish and crustaceans each year. There are constant new additions to the Acquario: “We have already invested 250 billion lire”, says Paolo Bertelli, who is responsible for marketing the Acquario. The “Large Mediterranean Reef“ will be completed by December and populated by sea horses, octopi, cat sharks and less well-known species, such as the Sand smelt or the large Mantis shrimp.
The continuously evolving museum receives 1,2 to 1,5 million visitors every year on average, and is the second most visited tourist attraction in Italy after Pompeji. This may also be down to the commercial talent of its director, Guiseppe Costa. The entrepreneur supports the edutainment concept, ie the combination of education and entertainment. There is a large 3-D-cinema, and the touch-pool is also a kind of edutainment, with rays sliding from one edge of the pool to the other, obviously very interested in making contact. Visitors submerge their hands, and the rays nuzzle into their palms with their soft, slimy bodies. “We want to set up another touch pool by March 2002, probably with a species of shark”, Bertelli confides.
Visitors like the touch-pools, and Director Costa says “We are permanently conducting surveys to learn more about what the visitors want“. Hence there is now also a showcase with humming birds
But customer orientation can be taken too far. The Acquario also has a food and shopping mall, and a museum shop, where monstrosities such as shower gel in a bottle the shape of a comical penguin are for sale. Showcases advertise for pasta companies, and at the entrance visitors can have their photos taken next to a man-sized plush penguin. The real penguins don’t look anywhere near as happy as their plush cousins, crammed together in their restricted rock home they once in a while dip into the muddy water at their feet.
The layout of the area is difficult to comprehend: after having experienced the technical advancement of deep sea diving, the visitors finds himself in “Madagascar“, and then, immediately afterwards, at the touch-pool. The reconstruction of a lagoon on Madagascar is one of the most animated departments in the “Blue Ship“, with fire-engine-red frogs dwelling in holes in the ground and chameleons climbing about.
It is commendable that the Acquario informs visitors of the need for environmental protection, by, for instance, displaying the disastrous effects of deforestation on the ecological system of Madagascar.
In contrast to the marine species, which can retreat into their deep sea world, their colleagues at the Acquario are showroom stars. Crowds gather outside their homes, babies touch the glass with their little fingers. The Green Turtle isn’t bothered; shielded behind the 6-inch glass she can also retreat into her cave. The seals also ignore the visitors and their flashlight photography; resting on rocks they will once in a while glance their way with their black, beady eyes. Microphones transmit the sounds of the animals’ communication to the visitors, and one can even hear the dolphins communicate with each other.
Behind the curtains there are even more aquatic creatures. An additional 100 tanks hold animals still needing to be acclimatised – as well as patients. “We are the first choice in treating aquatic animals in the entire Mediterranean“, Bertelli proudly explains.
Recently a dolphin was brought by helicopter to the Acquario from a private dolphinarium. “He had broken his nose, and it was touch-and-go”, says the marketing specialist. Meanwhile Flipper’s grandson is squeaking happily again.
Süddeutsche Zeitung – Nr. 221 – 25. September 2001 – Seite V2/10 – Stephanie Schmidt
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