For the first time in the history of independent Belarus, the State Flag of the Republic of Belarus was raised at the inland Vostok station that lies on the Earth's cold pole. This remarkable event took place during the 17th Belarusian Antarctic Expedition.

"Vladimir Nesterovich, a member of our expedition, raised the Belarusian flag on the Earth's cold pole. He took part in carrying out the inland sledge-caterpillar traverses to the Russian Vostok station. We sent him to gain experience of traveling long-distance and working with equipment. He  passed this tough test. These traverses are comparable to a flight into space. Temperatures range from -60° to -75° at the Vostok station during the season," Aleksei Gaidashov said.

Vladimir Nesterovich shared his impressions about the harsh conditions. According to him, such temperatures in Antarctica are tolerated easier than one could expect. "Of course, the lower the temperature is, the more difficult it is to breathe. You must keep your face covered, you can't breathe open air, otherwise you can get pneumonia. We wear warm natural clothes, high fur boots. We treat our skin against both wind and sun, and wear protective glasses," he said.

The National Academy of Sciences hosted the participants of the 17th Belarusian Antarctic Expedition and expeditions of different years, employees of the Departments of Biological Sciences, Physics, Mathematics and Informatics, Chemistry and Earth Sciences involved in the Antarctic theme, heads of the NASB scientific organizations and young scientists. A special photo exhibition was on display.

The 17th Belarusian Antarctic Expedition was given a ceremonial start at the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus on 28 October. This year the expedition featured 14 people led by Aleksei Gaidashov, seasoned polar explorer, participant of all the previous 16 expeditions. The expedition included researchers from the NAS of Belarus (the National Center for Polar Research, the Scientific and Practical Center of the NAS of Belarus on Biological resources, the Institute for Environmental Management, the Institute of Physics), Belarusian State University, the national center for hydrometeorology, radioactive pollution control, and environmental monitoring Belgidromet, and other organizations of the country.

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