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Fight against climate change meets art at Jumeirah Vittaveli Maldives
Jumeirah Vittaveli has unveiled the White Fire art exhibition, showcasing a stunning new synergy of coral conservation and conceptual art.
The exhibition showcases photographs by award-winning local photographer Mohamed ‘Double Dot’ Azmeel, in a venue that has been turned into an experiential art gallery.
The entrance beckons visitors in, flanked by two larger than life white coral walls, guiding the view as if through a tunnel to the centrepiece of a large table display of bleached corals, symbolising the effect of global warming. Eight creative oversized photographs encircle the venue, showcasing the artist’s unique artistic interpretation that celebrates visual culture and artistic achievement through photography.
The opening night last week saw a life model in a white custom-made coral gown enacting the plight of corals in today’s warming oceans. The entire exhibit glows in white, enchanting visitors with its elegance and haunting beauty, as the white colour signifies that all life has left the once colourful corals.
To kick off the evening, Shaheena Ali took the stage and introduced the audience to the threats of global warming and the dangers of coral bleaching.
A professional dive instructor and Executive Director for Parley for the Ocean in Maldives, Shaheena spoke about how her passion for corals grew from her first dives when she was a young girl and admired the astounding colour palette that grows just under the surface of the sea, providing a habitat for such a diversity of marine life. She then recounted the distressing experience when she was diving during the first major El Niño event in 1998 and saw the coral reefs had turned completely white.
Only a few degrees increase in ocean temperature can adversely affect coral reefs, as the corals will expel the microscopic algae that live in its tissue in a symbiotic relationship and give the corals their bright and lively colours. If the water does not cool down fast enough, the corals will eventually die off, turning a once rainbow coloured reef first to bright white and then to a dull and lifeless brown.
Jumeirah Vittaveli’s General Manager Abhijit Ghosh thanked Shaheena for her passionate presentation.
“We are proud to host this important exhibition at Jumeirah Vittaveli. Living in such a fragile eco environment, with the highest point of natural elevation only 2.5 metres in the Maldives, fighting climate change and doing our part to support eco-conservation efforts is close to our heart,” Abhijit said.
“We have implemented a range of initiatives in this regard, such as sustainable purchasing, working with local fishermen and agricultural islands to source fish and produce, operating our own water bottling plant, and creating artificial coral reefs to support the natural marine life surrounding the island. We look forward to further collaborations with Mohamed Azmeel in our constant pursuit to highlight the dangers of environmental pollution.”
A rousing speech followed, delivered by no less than homegrown eco activist and the country’s former president Mohamed Nasheed, who famously held a cabinet meeting underwater in 2009 to alert the world to the dangers of climate change.
President Nasheed likened the red flame of fire to the bright white colour of dying coral reefs, explaining how the title of the exhibition, White Fire, eerily illustrates the devastating effect global warming has on the beautiful coral reefs in the Maldives.
“We as Maldivians are the best people to alert the world to the dangers of climate change. We have been seeing its impact on our shores first-hand, and we understand the danger it poses to the planet. We need to ensure that international powers commit to limiting global warming and we all work together to fight climate change,” he said.
The artist himself Mohamed Azmeel welcomed guests with a short speech: “This has been a vision of mine that I have been working on for the past few years. I am honoured to have the opportunity to showcase this exhibition to guests at Jumeirah Vittaveli. I am already working on my next initiative that will go a step further in highlighting the plight of our oceans. Now, I will let my artwork speak for itself.”
The White Fire exhibition will be hosted at Jumeirah Vittaveli until 15 February 2020. It is open daily, and the artist will visit the island for several private viewings as well as meet-and-greet events.
Jumeirah Vittaveli is on the forefront of sustainability, having been Green Globe certified since 2015, and continuously works on implementing further initiatives to preserve the environment.
With a traditional Maldivian welcome and more activities to fill your days with than you can dream of, Jumeirah Vittaveli is the perfect place for all the family to speed things up or slow things down. Land and water-based activities include the destination’s first ice rink, a PADI Dive base, water sports centre, Talise Spa, six restaurants and bars, a wine library, an overwater lounge, an underground whisky and chocolate salon and a cigar lounge.
JOALI Maldives has been recognised in two categories at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia 2026, receiving honours among the Best Resorts in the Maldives and for the Most Outrageous Villa.
The recognition reflects the resort’s Creative Living philosophy, which brings together art, nature, wellbeing, sustainability and hospitality within the guest experience.
Located in Raa Atoll, approximately 45 minutes by seaplane from Malé, JOALI Maldives opened as the Maldives’ first art-immersive luxury resort. Art installations, dining experiences, wellbeing programmes and accommodation are integrated across the island as part of its approach to resort living.
The property features 73 beach and overwater villas and residences, positioned across the island and above the Indian Ocean. The accommodation has been designed to provide privacy, space and access to views of the surrounding environment.
Each villa combines contemporary design with materials including timber, marble, bamboo and terrazzo, as well as handcrafted finishes. Floor-to-ceiling glass provides views of the ocean, while private pools connect the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Artworks and design pieces are also incorporated into each villa, reflecting the resort’s Creative Living concept and extending the art experience into the accommodation.
Guests can choose from Beach Villas, Water Villas and multi-bedroom Residences, with options designed for couples, families and groups. The larger residences provide additional living areas, pools and facilities for guests seeking more space and privacy.
Each villa is supported by a dedicated Jadugar, a term used by the resort to describe its butler service. The Jadugar assists guests throughout their stay by arranging dining experiences, island activities, celebrations and other personalised services.
Guests are also provided with bicycles to explore the island’s pathways, gardens and viewpoints.
JOALI Maldives said the awards reflected the work of its team and the support of its guests, partners and wider community. The resort also said it would continue developing experiences focused on creativity, wellbeing and connection.
The recognition adds to JOALI Maldives’ position within the Maldives’ luxury resort sector, where its art-led design and Creative Living philosophy form the basis of its guest experience.
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has announced a culinary collaboration with Chef Grégoire Berger, chef and co-owner of the Dubai restaurant Kraken.
Known for progressive French cuisine influenced by the ocean, Berger has received a Michelin star in the Michelin Guide Dubai from 2022 to 2024. His restaurant has also been included among the World’s 50 Best Restaurants, while his work has received recognition through several international culinary awards.
Berger’s approach draws on the sea as a source of ingredients, ideas and presentation. His menus combine French culinary techniques with marine influences, with each dish developed around a narrative connected to the ocean.
As part of his visit to Lily Beach in August 2026, Berger will host a fine-dining dinner for a limited number of guests. He will also introduce a signature dish at AQVA Bar & Restaurant during the collaboration.
The programme forms part of Lily Beach’s efforts to expand its culinary offering and introduce visiting chefs and dining concepts to guests in the Maldives.
Located in South Ari Atoll, the resort will provide guests with an opportunity to experience Berger’s cuisine within its all-inclusive hospitality concept. The collaboration will combine his Michelin-recognised approach with the resort’s existing food and beverage programme.
Lily Beach Resort & Spa has established its hospitality offering around its premium all-inclusive model, supported by a range of dining venues. Its restaurants offer overwater dining, international buffet selections, seafood and Asian-inspired dishes.
The resort’s culinary programme is supported by the Platinum Plan, an all-inclusive package that includes dining experiences, a selection of wines and spirits, excursions and personalised services.
Through the collaboration with Berger, Lily Beach aims to add another dining experience to its guest programme while continuing to develop its position within the Maldives’ luxury hospitality market.
Milaidhoo Maldives has announced that it has been recognised in Tripadvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best 2026, placing the island among the top 1% of hotels worldwide based on traveller reviews and ratings.
For Milaidhoo, the recognition is especially meaningful as it comes directly from its guests. Their stories, shared experiences, and reviews have earned the island a place among travellers’ favourite destinations around the world.
Located within the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, Milaidhoo was created for guests seeking a more personal and authentic Maldivian experience. With just 50 villas surrounded by turquoise waters and flourishing coral reefs, the island offers a sense of intimacy and freedom, encouraging guests to reconnect with nature, with each other, and with themselves.
“We are deeply grateful to every guest who has chosen Milaidhoo and taken the time to share their experience,” said Paul van Frank. “To be recognised among Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best is an honour, but what means the most to us are the memories behind each review, the anniversaries celebrated, the friendships formed, the marine encounters discovered and the moments of joy shared on our island. This recognition also belongs to our Milaidhoo Family, whose warmth, care and genuine passion create the heartfelt experiences our guests remember long after they leave. We are proud to share this achievement with every member of our team and every guest who has become part of the Milaidhoo story.”
The Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards recognise the highest-rated hotels around the world, based on authentic reviews collected over a 12-month period. As one of the world’s most trusted travel guidance platforms, Tripadvisor’s recognition reflects the voices of travellers and the experiences that resonate most strongly with them.
As Milaidhoo continues to welcome guests from around the world, the recognition serves as a reminder of what has always mattered most to the island: creating meaningful experiences, sharing the beauty of the Maldives, and making every guest feel at home.
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