ART & CORTO MALTESE

GUIDED BY CORTO’S GAZE

The collaboration between the Pacifique organization, the world of Corto Maltese, and CONG SA (owner of the rights to Hugo Pratt’s work) stems from a shared vision of travel as an educational, social, and scientific experience.

The sailboat welcomes Patrizia Zanotti (director of CONG), a long-time collaborator of Hugo Pratt, and writer Marco Steiner. Together, they bring the soul and depth of Corto Maltese aboard the Fleur de Passion. The initiative is divided into two main phases in 2026, linked to the writing of a new novel by Marco Steiner:

First phase: a voyage from Portugal to the Canary Islands, during which Steiner will develop the story of a young man of Amazonian and English origin traveling to Brazil.
Second phase: a journey along the Brazilian coast, from Bahia to the border with Venezuela, to finalize the work through direct contact with local communities and ecosystems.
The novel, to be published by Rizzoli, draws on Pratt’s narrative heritage, updating it to reflect the challenges of the 21st century. The project aims to combine the poetic dimension of travel with a concrete reflection on the environmental vulnerability of Brazilian territories, climate change, and the importance of preserving local traditions and cultures.

By combining scientific observations in the field with poetic reflection, the project offers a concrete example of synergy between the social and scientific sectors.

NEW ARTIST RESIDENCIES

Because images have a power that words cannot always achieve, this expedition is also a visual narrative. Artists in residence on board will work to ensure that the memory of the effort and beauty is not lost, translating the scientific and human experience into a universal language.

After two publication projects: Dans le miroir de Magellan: le rétrecissement du monde (In the Mirror of Magellan: The Shrinking World) (2019) and five volumes of Sillages (Wakes) (2020 to 2025, in partnership with the Makaline association), Pacifique intends to continue promoting artistic creation.

Art on board is a common thread running through all aspects of the expeditions, providing a sensitive way of recounting life aboard the sailing ships.