Volvo Ocean Lovers Festival 2023

The annual Volvo Ocean Lovers Festival will return to Bondi on 15-19 March with a jam-packed program of activities and events to celebrate and inspire action for the ocean.

Held over five days, the Festival of Ideas, Art + Music and Actions will transform the newly restored Bondi Pavilion into an ocean sanctuary, highlighting the latest science and innovations for protecting and nurturing the ocean and its wildlife.

Music, art, films, food, talks and market stalls will fill the Pavilion with vibrant entertainment for all ages over the weekend of 18 & 19 March.

Beachgoers can turn up in their swimmers to hear from world leading scientists and see some of the latest innovations and technology saving our seas at the Sea Science Showcase. Kids and adults can join free and interactive Ocean Lab Workshops and submerge in underwater drone tours as they explore ideas about the future of the world’s ocean and find out fun and practical ways to love our ocean.

The popular Big Bondi Beach Clean with Take 3 will return, as well as a free sunrise yoga and meditation session on the beach, Trashion parades and the Ocean Lovers Lap swim hosted by Bondi Icebergs and presented by purpose driven social media platform, WeAre8.

WeAre8 will also host a short film and photography exhibition titled ‘See the Sea’ at the Festival. The exhibition is now open for submissions and invites photographers, creatives and emerging filmmakers to visually express their connection with the sea in a bid to have their work showcased across Bondi for the duration of the Festival.

This year’s Festival will also include a Future Science Study Expo, with universities exhibiting their offerings to entice students into a future of science. Litterarty - an exhibition featuring waste turned into art created by students from Kindergarten to Year 12 will be on show throughout the festival.

“Festival goers will be enlightened and inspired by this year’s remarkable program, which brings to life the wonder and significance of our ocean, the impact we can have and hope for the ocean’s future. From thought provoking films and stimulating ideas to immersive art and a stellar music line up – there’s something for everyone to enjoy,” said Festival Founder Anita Kolni.

Volvo Managing Director Stephen Connor said, “It is a privilege to be partnered with the Ocean Lovers Festival as the Festival’s aims are closely aligned with that of Volvo Cars. Sustainability has been at the heart of our values since our inception in 1927 and is central to our company's purpose. We appreciate that as a car company we have been a part of the impact on our environment but our commitment in becoming a sustainable company is well on its way. 2040 carbon neutral that is essential for not only our future success but for the future of us all.”

“Many residents and visitors flock to Waverley and the Volvo Ocean Lovers Festival is a great way to educate people about the importance of our much-loved ocean environment and marine life,” Mayor Masselos said.

Festival highlights:

• 15 March – Ocean Plastic Action Forum. Tickets here.

• 16 March – Future Science Study Expo here.

• 17-19 March – Sea Science Showcase - ‘Science in Your Swimmers’ conversations presented with IMC Pacific Foundation featuring UTS, Sydney University, UNSW and Sydney Institute of Marine Science

• 17-19 March – Ocean Lab Workshops

• 17-19 March – Film program, including screening of Alick and Albert featuring Alick Tipoti and HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and their efforts to tackle the threats to the future of the ocean

• 18 March – Big Bondi Beach Clean with Take 3 for the Sea

• 18 March – Sunrise Yoga with BodyMindLife

• 18 March – Volvo Ocean Lovers Lap presented by WeAre8 & MC hosted brunch at Bondi Icebergs

• 18-19 March – Live music, art exhibitions, talks, market stalls, kids activities and entertainment in the Pavilion courtyards and surrounds

• 19 March – Trashion parades by Marina DeBris

The Festival is presented by Volvo Car Australia with major partners WeAre8 and Waverley Council, and charity partner IMC Pacific Foundation. The Not-for-profit Festival partner is Underwater Earth.

Visit the website for more details and the full Festival program as it’s unveiled.

About Ocean Lovers Festival

The Ocean Lovers Festival was born in Bondi in 2019. The festival is a place to ‘Sea Change‘ in a multi-channel showcase of entertainment to highlight ocean protection and innovative solutions, as well as celebrate the love of oceans through ideas, art, music, film, science and actions.

About Volvo

From the very outset Volvo Cars has always been about people who care about the world we live in. We have made it our mission to make life easier, better and safer for everyone. For a better future. We want to provide you with the freedom to move in a personal, sustainable and safe way. Our alignment with the Ocean Lovers Festival is evident from our rich historical ties to our passion for people and the environment.

In 1959 Volvo engineer Nils Bohlin introduced the three-point safety belts into the series production of PV 544 and we decided to waive our patent rights so everybody could benefit. To date, it’s estimated that over one million lives have been saved by the three-point safety belt. We articulated our first environmental declaration in 1972 at the UN’s first Environment Conference in Stockholm. Our CEO at the time, Pehr G. Gyllenhammar, acknowledged that our products had a negative environmental impact and stated that we were determined to do something about it. We introduced our three-way catalytic converter with the Lambda sensor in 1976, it was an environmental breakthrough and reduced harmful emissions by up to 90 per cent.

About WeAre8

WeAre8 is the official social media app for the Festival. WeAre8 is a purpose driven platform where they share part of their revenue with charities, creators and projects that are in support of climate solutions. It’s all possible thanks to a revolutionary advertising model, where people choose to hear from brands in the app.

Founded by Australian tech-entrepreneur, Sue Fennessy, WeAre8 is the world's only sustainable social media app that is B-corp certified, has a zero tolerance for hate and is on a mission to bring a sense of goodness and community back to the world of social media. For more information on WeAre8’s See the Sea exhibition visit: WeAre8.com/SeeTheSea

About IMC Pacific Foundation

IMC Trading is a leading global trading firm with technology at its heart. At IMC we believe that businesses and those who work for them should contribute towards a better society. Therefore, we give our time, talent, and money to enrich the lives of people in the communities where we live and work, with a particular focus on education. Through our Foundation, we donate for impact, supporting charities and organisations that share our commitment to helping young people develop to their fullest potential. </p