Sofia Airport, the Embassy of Spain and the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute opened the exhibition “Bulgaria and Spain. 30 years together in Antarctica”. The exhibition is part of the cultural events organized on the occasion of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU and hosted by the largest Bulgarian airport – the place from which the journey to Antarctica can start.
“This exhibition is a symbol of the long-standing friendship and cooperation in Antarctic research between Bulgaria and Spain. Sofia Airport also supports the promotion of the work of scientists on the Ice continent through documentaries. In a few days we will welcome and introduce to the Bulgarian audience the famous Spanish writer and explorer Javier Cacho, whose career has been linked to Antarctica for a quarter of a century,” said Jesús Caballero, Chief Executive Officer of SOF Connect during the opening ceremony.
The event was also attended by H.E. Alejandro Polanco, Ambassador of Spain, Prof. Hristo Pimpirev, Director of the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute and guests from various state institutions.
The Spanish ambassador highlighted the level of bilateral cooperation in Antarctica, “which goes beyond the strictly institutional” and, even “reaches to the human side, the camaraderie and friendship” between researchers at the scientific bases of the two countries. “There is great symbolism in the good understanding that exists between our countries that the two most geographically remote peninsulas of the European continent enjoy such a good and fruitful neighbourhood in a remote Antarctica,” he added.
The exhibition, also dedicated to the celebration of the 110th anniversary of the establishment of relations between Spain and Bulgaria, includes images that highlight the importance of the good cooperation that unites the two countries. The pictures in the exhibition are of the new Bulgarian oceanographic ship “St. Cyril and Methodius’ from entering the port of Cartagena (Spain) on 14 April 2023 for a logistical stop on Spanish territory to refuel and provision during its first voyage to Antarctica as part of the 31st Bulgarian expedition; and those of the island of Cacho and Mount Polanco, which have recently received their names.
This unique exhibition presents the achievements and scientific discoveries made by the Bulgarian and Spanish Antarctic teams over the last three decades. Passengers passing through Sofia Airport will have the opportunity to see photographs from the expeditions, innovative research and stories of the adventures of the brave explorers for the rest of the year.