Throughout the Mediterranean, territories reveal ancient heritages, renewed activities, and new perspectives on the sea. In Cyprus, Commandaria recalls the depth of a millennia-old craftsmanship. In Syria, a fragile restart is emerging through small economic victories. On the coasts, the season of red mullet highlights the stakes of sustainable fishing. And in Hyères, the Galathéa festival questions our way of representing the ocean.
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Commandaria: a unique wine heritage in the world
Commandaria, the name of a sweet wine produced in Cyprus, does not merely delight the palate. This appellation is one of the oldest living witnesses of Mediterranean culture. Born nearly 3,000 years ago on the slopes of Troodos, shaped by the Cypriot sun and continuous family transmission, it belongs to the rare wines whose history is intertwined with that of their territory. Its antiquity is now recognized by the Guinness World Records, and its name is protected by a strict Protected Designation of Origin.
Reconstruction through small victories
Long suffocated by war, sanctions, and isolation, Syria is now seeing an unexpected ray of hope. Driven by a beginning of international détente and a series of internal reforms, the Syrian economy is slowly restarting. From agriculture to health, through education and technology, the country is sketching a fragile yet determined renaissance, where each advance becomes a symbol of hope and resilience.
Red mullet, a small fish for great cuisine
For Mediterranean fish enthusiasts, the time has come to celebrate a choice species: the rock red mullet. A modestly sized fish – around 20 cm – but with an intensely iodized flavor, it embodies autumn as the fry reach maturity at two times of the year: now or at the end of spring. Favoring these two seasons ensures optimal product quality and protects the resource. On my menu, I have always respected this seasonality. In the kitchen, its fine and delicate flesh calls for a gourmet simplicity; even if preparing it begins with a tedious step.
Posidonia or "the intimacy" of a living seagrass bed
The international marine world festival Galathéa attracts around 10,000 visitors each year in Hyères, a town located in the southeast of France. The tenth edition – from November 20 to 23 – features an emblematic figure in ocean protection, Paul Watson (Sea Shepherd), and revolves around two strong themes: a "different perspective" on posidonia and a reflection on the image of the Mediterranean in the media. Issues often addressed through the lens of catastrophism are at the heart of Nicolas Barraqué's work. This photographer, diver, author, and initiator of the festival advocates for a more nuanced approach, based on observation, knowledge, and above all, facts.