“Underwater Life as Art. Underwater Life as Knowledge”: Event Featuring a Photography Exhibition by Underwater Photographer and Author Athanasios Lazaridis

The open event entitled “Underwater Life as Art. Underwater Life as Knowledge” was held with great success. It was co-organized by the School of Engineering and the School of Pure and Applied Sciences of the University of Cyprus on Wednesday, 18 February 2026. The event took place at the premises of the School of Engineering and attracted a significant number of attendees from the university community and the wider public, highlighting the growing interest in the intersection of science, art, and the environment.

The keynote speaker was underwater photographer and author Athanasios (Sakis) Lazaridis, who, through striking images and personal experiences, demonstrated how science can arise from observation, creativity, and an individual’s perspective on the natural world. His presentation highlighted underwater life as a fascinating meeting point between art and science, bringing to light marine species of Cyprus, as well as invasive species inhabiting its waters. At the same time, he emphasized the power of underwater photography as a tool for scientific observation, documentation, and knowledge production.

During the introduction of the speaker, Professor Despo Fatta-Kassinos, Chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, outlined the career and personality of Athanasios Lazaridis, emphasizing his deep and experiential relationship with the sea — from professional diving to internationally recognized underwater photography and his literary work. Through a thoughtful introduction, she underscored the central message of the event: that biodiversity protection does not begin with legislation or strategies, but with the gaze — with the ability to recognize the value of every form of life, even the smallest or most unseen.

During the event, a brief intervention was delivered by Professor of Ecology and Biodiversity at the Department of Biological Sciences, Dr. Spyros Sfenthourakis, who referred to the biological wealth of Cyprus as a precious heritage of millions of years. He focused both on what is known and what remains unknown about Cyprus’ biodiversity, noting the large number of endemic species as well as the lack of information on many important groups of organisms, such as fungi, worms, and numerous insects. He stressed the responsibility to protect and preserve this wealth and highlighted the need to create a national biodiversity database, assess threats to species that do not yet have a “Red List” status, and establish a National Museum of Natural History with a mission to record, study, and showcase the country’s natural heritage.

The event was addressed by the Dean of the School of Engineering, Professor Marina Neophytou, and the Dean of the School of Pure and Applied Sciences, Professor Epameinondas Leontidis. Professor Neophytou welcomed the audience to the new facilities of the School of Engineering, noting: “The world today may appear dystopian. Yet we choose to remember Fyodor Dostoevsky’s phrase that beauty will save the world and attempt a meaningful bridging of Art and Science. Today’s initiative marks the first step in linking Art with Engineering Science.” Professor Leontidis emphasized that climate change places enormous pressure on ecological systems and that societal mobilization and action are essential for the broader protection of biodiversity. Identifying awareness-raising among as many social stakeholders as possible as a first step, he underlined that events such as this one contribute substantially to achieving these goals.

The event concluded with a photography exhibition featuring selected works by Mr. Lazaridis, which became a focal point for creative dialogue between science and artistic expression.