On February 12, as part of the celebration of the Day of Russian Science, an online conference dedicated to the life and legacy of the outstanding explorer of the World Ocean — Jacques-Yves Cousteau — was held on the virtual platform of the Russian House in Brussels. The event took place with the participation of the Museum of the World Ocean and the “5 Oceans” club, bringing together scientists, sailors and followers of the famous captain.

The central event of the meeting was the presentation of the exhibition “Captain Cousteau in Russia”, revealing little-known pages of the researcher’s biography, his scientific activities and his contribution to the development of ocean studies. The exhibition demonstrates the close ties of the French oceanographer with Russia and his influence on Russian marine research.

At a press conference at TASS, the head of Rossotrudnichestvo, Evgeny A. Primakov, emphasized that organizing the exhibition is a great honor and an important mission in preserving historical memory and developing international humanitarian cooperation.

A video greeting was delivered by the Director General of the Museum of the World Ocean, D. A. Miryunyuk. Conference participants heard vivid memories from friends, colleagues and associates of Cousteau, who shared reflections on his life path, scientific discoveries and boundless love for the sea.

Special guests of the meeting included the captain of the research vessels Alcyone and Calypso, Patrice Quesnel; organizer of the exhibition “Captain Cousteau in Russia” and leader of the Russian circumnavigators’ team of the “5 Oceans” club, Oleg Dudkin; as well as the outstanding Russian oceanologist, Hero of the Russian Federation, head of the Laboratory for the Scientific Operation of Deep-Sea Manned Vehicles at the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Anatoly M. Sagalevich.

Circumnavigator and crew member of the “5 Oceans” club, and co-organizer of the exhibition, Vladimir Dudkin spoke in detail about the most significant milestones of Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s life, his inventions and research. He also shared little-known facts from the captain’s biography that still inspire sincere amazement and admiration.

The exhibition “Captain Cousteau in Russia” can be viewed on the outdoor stands of the Russian House in Brussels until March 31.

The conference became not only a platform for sharing memories, but also an important step in popularizing Cousteau’s scientific legacy, whose discoveries continue to inspire a new generation of ocean researchers around the world.