July 2026, Jūrmala, Latvia. It’s already been a year. A mirror map of the Baltic Sea installed facing the sea in Jürmala, a seaside resort near Riga, Latvia.

This artwork, located in the heart of the city, right across from the Baltic Sea, draws everyone’s attention to the issues currently threatening the world’s oceans and waters. Today more than ever, we must all be committed to preserving our environment, to the best of our ability. This work invites us to reflect concretely on the Baltic Sea, as well as to draw greater attention within our societies to the protection of the oceans, the seabed, and the flora and fauna that surround us.

The artist Jean Denant said: “Today, this sea—this continent—must be defended, loved, and cared for. Its ecological challenges and political stakes compel each and every one of us to commit to its preservation, as the cradle of our civilizations. ”

Martin Bez, president of MBD79.org, flanked by the mayor of Jürmala and the French ambassador to Latvia during the inauguration in early July 2025.

Work by Jean Denant,

Project carried out by the Municipality of Jürmala,

The Jürmala Center for Cultural and Environmental Design,

The MBD79.org association represented by Mr. Martin Bez,

The French Embassy and the French Institute in Riga, Latvia