site.btaBulgarian Antarctic Expedition Leader Pimpirev, Explorers, Film Crew Visit Sally Rocks Bay

On his first day after arriving on Livingstone Island, Prof. Christo Pimpirev, leader of the Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition and President of the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute, visited the tip of the Hurd Peninsula, which is bathed by the waters of Sally Rocks Bay.

About ten years ago, Bulgarian scientists camped in this area for a month, studying the rocks and the region’s rich mineralization and ore deposits. Copper ore with traces of gold can be found here, Pimpirev noted. Sally Rocks Bay is the last bay before the tip of the Hurd Peninsula, where the Bulgaria Antarctic base is located. From there, Deception Island is visible, Prof. Pimpirev said. "This is an iconic place that we, Bulgarians, have explored extensively," he added.

A film crew is also on the continent, working on a feature documentary about Prof. Pimpirev to convey the significance of Bulgarian scientific research in Antarctica and the contributions of Pimpirev and Bulgarian Antarctic explorers.

"We are funded by the National Film Centre and are making a documentary about the professor, his work, the past, present, and future, as well as his legacy for future generations and the work of the [Bulgarian Antarctic] base," said Yuliana Chalakova, one of the film’s producers. The documentary aims to explore "how the professor envisions the future - the future of the base, the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute, and humanity in general, all seen through the lens of the planet’s future."

The four-member film crew is currently staying at the Bulgarian base on Livingstone Island. It includes Austrian executive producer Wolfgang Knöpfler, known for his work with National Geographic, Netflix, and the BBC; cinematographer Fejmi Daut, an Oscar nominee for Honeyland from the Republic of North Macedonia; Danail Vuchkov, who is assisting with logistics, sound, and equipment; and Yuliana Chalakova. The film’s main producer is Eleni Dekidis, Chalakova said, adding that the project is being produced by Dekidis Films.

Also on Monday, geomorphologist Daniela Pascal and ornithologists Ilia Vatev and Boyan Michev conducted research in the area.

Pascal is collecting rocks containing quartz to analyze glacier retreat, investigating whether climate change played a role and whether there is a possible link to human activity.

Iliya Vatev and Boyan Michev are studying the local bird populations, monitoring penguin colonies and nests of various species. They are comparing current data with previous studies, assessing the stage of development of the colonies, the presence of chicks, and whether the birds had eggs. They also track annual breeding success and nest density.

Sofia University Rector Prof. Georgi Valchev, retired Flotilla Admiral Prof. Boyan Mednikarov, Captain Nikolay Danailov, Kiril Kandilarov, and journalist Zhivko Konstantinov also visited Sally Rocks.

The Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodi research vessel ensured the safe transport of all expedition members to the bay.

The Bulgarian naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421) departed from Varna on its third Antarctic expedition on November 7, 2024, and arrived at Livingston Island on December 28. The St Kliment Ohridski Bulgarian Antarctic Base on Livingston Island opened for the new polar season on November 23, 2024.

BTA has a national press club on the vessel and at the Bulgarian Antarctic base. This is the third year in a row that BTA has sent a correspondent to Antarctica. This year's correspondent is Milena Ostrovska, who arrived at the base on January 17. Her reports are available for free in English at the Bulgaria-Antarctica Log on BTA's website and can be used for free by all media with attribution to BTA.