Club Dinner and Lecture “Bulgaria on the Ice Continent”
December 12th, 2013, Thursday
On 12 December 2013, in Serdika Hall of Grand Hotel Sofia, the members of the Reform Union Club attended a discussion and dinner devoted to the Bulgarian presence in the Antarctic. The informal occasion for the event was the wrapping up of another successful year for the Club and the approaching Christmas holidays. At the dinner, those present were transported into the virgin winter atmosphere of the Antarctic thanks the stories told by Prof. Christo Pimpirev – director and founder of the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute and leader of the annual scientific expeditions to Livingston Island. The honorary guest made a presentation including unique photographs from our Antarctic base “St. Kliment Ohridski” and shared with the audience the most significant challenges from the beginning of its establishment in 1988 up to the present day. In addition to many interesting facts, the guest pointed out the opportunities which had opened up for Bulgaria after its signing of the Antarctic Treaty. The Treaty and other related agreements, collectively known as the Antarctic Treaty System, regulate international relations with respect to Antarctica – the only continent on Earth without a native human population. Currently, the Treaty has been signed by 49 countries and defines Antarctica as a scientific preserve, establishes freedom of scientific investigation and bans any military activity there.
