Voga! Woda! Workshop

Voga! Woda! is a creative workshop led by River Sisters (Siostry Rzeki), a Polish collective working with art, ecology and activism, represented by Cecylia Malik and Anna Chmiel. The workshop is part of the initiative Nature Speaks. Listening for Rights of Nature in Venice and Europe at Ocean Space.

During the workshop we will sit together at a shared table and decorate pre-prepared costume elements inspired by the fauna and life of the Venetian lagoon. Participants will create their own hats, capes, flags or small accessories to take into a colourful floating parade to be held on Sunday, May 24, 2026, in coordination with the Vogalonga, a citizen event that celebrates the union between the lagoon and its inhabitants since 50 years.

All materials will be provided. While working, we will share stories and reflect on how artistic actions can support the rights of nature and give voice to water ecosystems. We will also create simple slogans for the parade and sing together.

Places are limited, people who sign up are expected to participate to both the workshop and the parade on May 24.

Participants will receive more information about the 24th May parade in the days prior to the event.

Participation in the kayak parade will be organised with the support of Ocean Space, but participants will be responsible for paying the kayak rental fee of €30 and respect rental conditions. Available kayaks will be individual or two seaters.

The day before, Friday, May 22, River Sisters will be hosted by NICHE - Centre for Environmental Humanities, University Ca' Foscari, for the talk Public Art, Hydrophilia and Rights of Nature.

The symposium will explore the physical, psychological and political dimensions of our relatedness to nature, and particularly to water, with the participation of Francesco Vallerani, Professor of Cultural Geography - University Ca' Foscari of Venice; Rivers Sisters Collective; Mattia Favaretto, activist and researcher - IDRA; and Caterina Erica Shanta, artist and filmmaker, IDRA Art Collective.

For more information please vist NICHE website.

The symposium is part of the initiative Nature Speaks. Listening for Rights of Nature in Venice and Europe.

River Sisters (Siostry Rzeki) is a Polish collective working at the intersection of art, ecology and activism. Founded by Cecylia Malik, the group creates participatory actions, performances and community-based projects that advocate for the protection of rivers and the recognition of the rights of nature.

Cecylia Malik is an artist and activist based in Poland, founder of River Sisters. Her work combines art, community action and environmental engagement, focusing on rivers, forests and civic movements advocating for the protection of nature.

Anna Chmiel, member of River Sisters, is a visual artist, painter working with painting, experimental animation and liquid light performance. Her practice explores water, landscape and ecological imagination through participatory and performative forms.