/media/uploads/2025/06/25/eng-1.mp3
The Earth's two frozen poles, the North Pole and the South Pole, have always been an irresistible attraction for explorers. Antarctica, with its stunning beauty and harsh conditions, has long inspired courage, fascination, and a desire for adventure. From the 16th century, when Sir Francis Drake, a skilled navigator and feared pirate, was driven south by storms, to the expeditions of the 19th century, many have dreamed of discovering this enigmatic land. James Cook was the first to cross the Antarctic Circle in 1773, convinced that, due to the extreme climate, no one would be able to descend further south. In the second half of the 19th century, the Challenger expedition systematically explored the oceans, reaching the subantarctic zone. The ground was therefore prepared for a historic first: the first voluntary wintering in Antarctica, carried out by the Belgian expedition under the auspices of the Belgian Geographical Society, with the motto " Audaces FORTUNA Juvat, "Luck favours the bold!"