A photo exhibition “Ukrainian Antarctic Research and Resistance” was opened at the headquarters of the European Commission in Brussels. The official start took place on the evening of December 13, 2022 with participation of the European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginias Sinkevičius, with the participation of the European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius, Director of the National Antarctic Scientific Center of Ukraine Evgen Dykyi and Deputy Head of the Mission of Ukraine to the European Union Serhiy Tereshko.
The exhibition displays 40 photos representing the history and modernity of Ukrainian research in Antarctica and the unique nature of the icy continent. A special place in the exposition is occupied by two collages created specifically for the event in Brussels: photos of the NASC office destroyed as a result of a russian missile strike in the center of Kyiv and photos of Ukrainian polar explorers who joined the AFU ranks and defend Ukraine.
“Currently, scientists in Ukraine live in two different centuries. One is the 21st century, in which we are concerned about climate change and joint research in Antarctica. The other is the 20th century, and maybe even earlier. In it, we are forced to defend our land in a bloody, barbaric war with the russians, to survive without light and heat. This question – in which century will mankind continue to live – is being solved now in the trenches in Ukraine. This is exactly the opinion that we wanted to convey with this exhibition,” said Evgen Dykyi, Director of the National Antarctic Scientific Center.
“The war in Ukraine, Bucha and Irpin is much closer to the European Union than it may seem. They are at the same distance from Brussels as Athens. The same thing with Antarctica. It seems very far away, but at the same time, the processes taking place there affect all of us,” European Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius noted.
In addition to photos, in the exposition you can see the Ukrainian flag, which fluttered in the Antarctic winds, with the signatures of the participants of the 26th Ukrainian Antarctic Expedition.
Also, our wonderful two-meter gentoo penguin arrived at the European commissioners. And yet, despite the bad weather and borders, it did get to Belgium and has now become the main star of the event!
The exhibition will run at the EC headquarters until December 22 this year. Employees of the European Commission and their guests can visit the exhibition. Access to small groups of visitors is also possible by prior arrangement.
The exhibition in Brussels is organized by the National Antarctic Scientific Center of Ukraine with the support of the European Commission and the Mission of Ukraine to the European Union.
Photo by Xavier Lejeune
Photo by NASC