site.btaColombian Antarctic Expedition Visits Bulgarian Base on Livingston Island

The tenth Colombian Antarctic expedition visited Bulgaria's St Kliment Ohridski Antarctic base on Thursday. A delegation from the expedition went ashore to tour the Bulgarian base, while Bulgarian scientists and logisticians from the 34th Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition visited the Colombian research vessel Simon Bolivar.

"The St Kliment Ohridski Antarctic base on Livingston Island is part of Bulgaria. Here we carry out scientific projects, ensure the daily operations of the researchers with the support of our logisticians, and also serve as a foreign policy institution, as we represent Bulgaria. The Bulgarian flag flies here, and we welcome delegations from around the world," Prof. Christo Pimpirev, head of the Bulgarian Antarctic expeditions, said.

He added that visiting guests should experience Bulgaria’s presence and strength in Antarctica, where this country maintains a settlement on the southernmost continent.

"We strive to support countries that are just beginning their journey in Antarctic exploration, and Colombia is one of them. Seven years ago, at a meeting of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Program in Plovdiv, Colombia expressed its desire to participate. We accepted their program manager into our delegation and signed a cooperation agreement. Today, two Colombian researchers are working at our base, and we are hosting Colombian representatives. Just two weeks ago, we landed on King George Island using their aircraft," Prof. Pimpirev said.

He presented the commander of the Colombian expedition, Captain Natalia Otalora, with a commemorative medal from the Bulgarian Antarctic expedition, while she reciprocated with a medal from the Colombian polar program. The two expeditions also exchanged symbolic gifts: the Colombians presented Bulgarian base commander Kamen Nedkov with a package of premium Colombian coffee, while he gave them sugar-free organic marmalade produced especially for the Bulgarian Antarctic expedition.

The Bulgarian research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii (RSV 421) departed for Antarctica from Varna on November 7. After a month-long voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, the vessel arrived at the Argentine naval base in Mar del Plata on December 13, 2025.

RSV 421 departed for Antarctica from Varna (on the Black Sea) on November 7. After a month-long voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, the ship arrived at the Argentine naval base in the city of Mar del Plata on December 13, 2025. BTA has had a national press club on board since 2022 and another on Livingston Island since February 2024.

The news pieces of the BTA special correspondents on RSV 421 and Antarctica are freely available in Bulgarian and English on the agency's website. They can be used free of charge by all media with reference to BTA.