UNSA Participation in Scientific Expedition to Antarctica | Exhibition of Photos from the Book “Christo Pimpirev: The Antarctic Hitchhiker”

The exhibition of photos from the book “Christo Pimpirev: The Antarctic Hitchhiker”, authored by researcher Prof. Pimpirev, co-authored with journalist and photographer Iglika Trifonova, opened today at the Gallery of the Academy of Fine Arts, organized by the University of Sarajevo and the Embassy of Bulgaria in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The exhibition was opened by the Rector of the University of Sarajevo, Prof. Dr. Tarik Zaimović, and H.E. Valeri Yotov, Ambassador of Bulgaria to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Ambassador Yotov expressed his gratitude to the University of Sarajevo for the opportunity to open an exhibition dedicated to 33 years of Bulgarian research in Antarctica and to present Professor Pimpirev’s book in one of the most beautiful galleries of the University.

“Professor Pimpirev is ready to include two scientists from Bosnia and Herzegovina in the expedition who would implement their own scientific project in Antarctica at the Bulgarian base on Livingston Island,” said Ambassador Yotov, recalling that scientists from Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania and other countries have already visited the Bulgarian base.

Rector Zaimović emphasized that the University of Sarajevo, following Professor Pimpirev's initiative, prepared a project that was approved by the Institute, and that a scientific expedition to Antarctica will be implemented as early as next year.

“We will have a BiH expedition to the South Pole and I think it will be an extremely important and ambitious undertaking for the University. The project nominated by the Department of Geography of the Faculty of Science of the University of Sarajevo was selected according to the criteria of scientific relevance, quality and potential impact on the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina. We want the maximum result, not only for the University, but also for the entire Bosnia and Herzegovina. We hope to see the flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the South Pole,” emphasized Zaimović, emphasizing the importance of this undertaking for the international reputation of the University of Sarajevo.

“Expeditions of this nature connect researchers. After each scientific expedition, a series of scientific papers follow, and Bosnia and Herzegovina and the University of Sarajevo become more visible on the world scientific scene,” added Rector Zaimović.

Vice-Rector for Scientific Research of the University of Sarajevo, Prof. Dr. Naris Pojskić, emphasized that this is a significant international scientific project that represents an important step towards greater inclusion of Bosnia and Herzegovina in global research flows.

“The generosity of the Bulgarian government and the Institute has enabled countries that do not have adequate conditions for research in Antarctica to participate in such expeditions. The expedition will last three weeks and will have multiple significance for the development of science,” emphasized Vice-Rector Pojskić.

According to him, the members of the BiH team have not yet been officially determined, but it is planned that one doctoral student - a young researcher, and one more experienced scientist will participate in the expedition.

“They will undergo several months of psychophysical preparation in order to be fully prepared for the challenges that Antarctica brings,” added Pojskić.

About the book and the exhibition

Researcher Prof. Christo Pimpirev wrote the book “The Antarctic Hitchhiker” together with journalist and photographer Iglika Trifonova.

The authors have created not only a biographical, but also a true adventure work - with vivid descriptions of Antarctica and the journey to it, and with Prof. Pimpirev's precious impressions and memories from the first Bulgarian expeditions thirty years ago to the present day. The book allows the reader to feel the atmosphere of polar journeys and share the experience with the most famous Bulgarian explorer of the icy continent.

The accompanying photo exhibition brings authentic scenes of Antarctica recorded by Iglika Trifonova during her multiple expeditions. The photographs testify to the harsh but fascinating world of the icy continent – ​​its landscapes, animal world and the everyday life of the explorers. In this way, the exhibition visually completes the experience of the book and allows visitors to directly experience the beauty and challenges of life in the far south of the planet.

About the authors

Professor Christo Pimpirev is a lecturer in geology at Sofia University ‘St. Kliment Ohridski’, a scientist and one of the world’s most prominent polar explorers. He is the President of the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute and Director of the National Center for Polar Research. He has led 32 Bulgarian expeditions to Antarctica. He is the author of 11 books, 10 documentaries and one feature film, and more than 250 scientific publications. He is a Commander of the Order of Queen Isabella the Catholic, by decree of the King of Spain, Felipe VI, for his significant contribution to the development of friendly and cooperative relations between the Spanish and Bulgarian peoples. Prof. Pimpirev is included in the world ranking of the hundred most prominent polar explorers. Pimpirev Peak on Alexander Island, Pimpirev Glacier and Pimpirev Beach on Livingston Island in Antarctica are named after him.

Iglika Trifonova participated in six Bulgarian expeditions to Antarctica. Her work as a photographer and journalist has been published in Bulgarian and international media. From 2012 to 2023, she was the president of the Association of Young Polar Scientists (APECS Bulgaria). She is a member of the Association of Bulgarian Journalists and the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute. In 2022, she was included in the world ranking of one hundred women in polar sciences and education who inspire the next generation of young researchers to become polar scientists. In 2023, Cape Trifonova on Livingston Island was named after her in recognition of her contribution to the promotion of Antarctica.

The photography exhibition is open to visitors until 17 October 2025 at the ALU Gallery in Sarajevo.