site.bta33rd Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition Has Been Most Successful to Date - Prof. Pimpirev

Prof. Christo Pimpirev, head of the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute and leader of the Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition, said on Friday that the 33rd Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition has been the most successful to date, "as we unveiled an advanced laboratory that will serve scientists in the following century as well". Pimpirev spoke to reporters at Vasil Levski Sofia Airport upon his return from Antarctica along with some of the participants in the expedition.

The group that arrived in Sofia earlier on Friday includes the Rector of the St Kliment Ohridski University of Sofia, Prof. Georgi Valchev, Flotilla Admiral (Ret) Prof. Boyan Mednikarov,  Veliko Tarnovo University finance and tax law professor Yurii Kuchev, the Chairperson of the Antarctic Place-names Commission of Bulgaria, Prof. Dr. Lyubomir Ivanov, Kalin Mutafchiev of the Education and Science Ministry, Kaufland representative Kremena Georgieva, Lyubov Kostova of the Beautiful Science Foundation, a film crew made up of Yuliana Chalakova, Fejmi Daut, Wolfgang Knopfler and Danail Vuchkov, journalist Zhivko Konstantinov, physicist Tsvetan Parov, Assoc. Prof. Boris Tsankov of the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy, music editor Marina Velikova of the Bulgarian National Radio, Assistant Professor Ivaylo Nachev of the Technical University of Sofia, engineer Vesselin Stamenov, Alexander Nedyalkov, and BTA special correspondent Milena Ostrovska.

"Working alongside us were nations that had embarked on their first expeditions, such as Montenegro, the United Arab Emirates, and Greece. We also worked with our traditional partners, Colombia and Portugal. For the first time, we had a project to study solar activity, Pimpirev said, adding that a total of 26 projects were carried out.

He cited the project of Marina Velikova, who recorded the sounds of Antarctica. "She also took portraits of both the sailors on our ship and the scientists on our base. We expect good photo exhibitions," Pimpirev said. He recalled that film crews had made films about Antarctica, which will be seen around the world.

The new scientific laboratory, which was opened at the St Kliment Ohridski Bulgarian Antarctic Base, will be equipped and ready for use by next year, the Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition leader said.

The Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii naval research vessel is expected to dock in Varna on April 9, he noted.

Sofia University (SU) Rector Prof. Georgi Valchev said that an agreement between Sofia University and the National University of Patagonia San Juan Bosco will enable joint research in areas of common interests. He expressed hope that "collaboration will be fruitful," adding that they have already identified their starting points and expect to attract many young people in the coming years.

Valchev said that Sofia University plays a key role in Antarctic research, noting that Prof. Pimpirev is among the university’s lecturers and the National Centre for Polar Studies is part of SU. He expressed hope that the new laboratory at Bulgarian Antarctic Base "will increase our visibility on the international stage".

BTA's special correspondent Milena Ostrovska said that her participation in the 33rd Bulgarian Antarctic expedition was a challenge, not only because of the time difference but also due to the strict discipline on the naval research vessel.

People should know that when travelling to Antarctica one must be well-prepared for the harsh conditions and the many responsibilities ahead, Ostrovska said.

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. BTA special correspondent Milena Ostrovska’s reports are available for free in Bulgarian and English at the Bulgaria-Antarctica Log on BTA's website and can be used for free by all media with attribution to BTA.