site.btaRSV 421 Welcomed in Solemn Ceremony in Comodoro Rivadavia

The Bulgarian naval research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421) was welcomed at a solemn ceremony in the city of Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina. 

The official ceremony began with a performance of the Argentine anthem by a military orchestra, followed by the Bulgarian anthem in front of the ship's crew and members of the Antarctic expedition gathered on deck.

The ship was welcomed by the Ambassador of Bulgaria to Argentina Stoyan Mihaylov and the Commander of the Naval Detachment in Comodoro Rivadavia Captain Eduardo Martin Sosa. They met the commander of RSV 421, Captain Radko Muevski, and boarded the ship for a short visit before the ceremony later Saturday.

Among those present at the event were the Ambassador of Bulgaria to Argentina Stoyan Mihaylov, the head of the Bulgarian expedition Prof. Christo Pimpirev, the commander of RSV 421, Captain Radko Muevski, Flotilla Admiral (Ret) Prof. Boyan Mednikarov, Captain Nikolay Danailov, Senator Andrea Cristina, Deputy Governor Gustavo Mena, Mayor of the city of Comodoro Rivadavia Othar Macharashvili, Deputy Mayor Maximiliano Sampaoli, the Commander of the Naval Detachment in Comodoro Rivadavia Captain Eduardo Martin Sosa, Director of the Port Digna Hernando, the Rector of the National University of Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Prof. Lidia Blanco, the Cyril and Methodius Bulgarian Society in the Argentinian city of Comodoro Rivadavia Tsenka Genova, etc. The celebration ended with a folklore programme with  local dancers performing traditional Argentine dances.

After completing its mission to the Bulgarian Antarctic Base on Livingston Island, the RSV 421 arrived in Comodoro Rivadavia on February 22,  on its way to Bulgaria.

The ship also received guests after the welcoming ceremony. Representatives of the local authorities, journalists and members of the Bulgarian community boarded RSV 421. They learned about its mission in Antarctica and the scientific projects implemented at the Bulgarian base.

In his address during the event, Bulgarian Ambassador to Argentina Stoyan Mihaylov expressed gratitude for the  hospitality of Comodoro Rivadavia.

He noted that this is the second visit of RSV 421 to the Argentine city and this is not due to technical necessity, but due to the magic of the ship's first arrival in Comodoro Rivadavia, when Bulgarians gathered with other Bulgarians 15,000 km from their homeland.

"This impressive and emotional moment is due to the strong bond preserved by three or four generations of Bulgarians in Argentina.,” said Mihaylov, noting that this bond could not easily survive if the state did not create the conditions for it and added noted that the Argentine authorities also contributed to this, as they pursue a policy based on the understanding that cultural diversity is a national treasure. The Ambassador added that "with a positive attitude from the Bulgarian and Argentine sides, wonderful conditions have emerged for the establishment and development of new formats of cooperation." He gave an example of the twinning of Comodoro Rivadavia with the city of Burgas, as well as an agreement between higher education institutions for the direct exchange of scientists, etc.

The positive experiences have defined Comodoro Rivadavia as a traditional stop in the Antarctic voyages of the RSV 421, said Ambassador Mihaylov at the ceremony welcoming.. He congratulated the Argentine port city on its 124th anniversary.

Comodoro Rivadavia is home to about 2,000 descendants of Bulgarians. The Bulgarian Society "Cyril and Methodius" operates in the city. It was established in 1989 with the main aim of bringing together descendants of Bulgarians who migrated to Argentina in the 1930s. The society has established a Bulgarian folk dance group and a musical formation, which participate in festive events and present Bulgarian culture and traditions to the Argentine community.

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.