Reception on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Antarctica discovery - Australia

On November 30, the Russian Embassy and the Anare Club co-hosted a reception commemorating the 200th Anniversary of Antarctica discovery by Russian navigators Faddei Bellingshausen and Mikhail Lazarev. The event was attended by Heads of Diplomatic Corps representing Antarctic Treaty Member-States, as well as other diplomats, officers of DFAT and Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, academia and Antarctic veterans.

H.E. Dr Alexey Pavlovsky, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Australia, and Dr Joe Johnson, ANARE Past President, delivered opening remarks followed by the unveiling of a commemorative plaque soon to be displayed in the National Museum of Australia. The plaque is meant to be fixed to the new administrative building of the Russian Embassy in Canberra (after its construction is finished).

At the event guests had an opportunity to enjoy the exhibition of prints of Pavel Mikhailov, Russian artist and member of the expedition. Those prints were kindly provided to the Embassy by the State Historical Museum in Moscow. The catalogue with over 200 of his drawings and watercolors was presented to the representatives of the National Museum of Australia.

David Dodd, ANARE Treasurer, demonstrated a rare silver medal from the Club collection. It says “In commemoration of the departure of Vostok and Mirny sloops’ circumnavigation.1819” and was presumably given to the king of Taihi Pomare II by the Russian captain.

As a special highlight of the evening a videoconference with Progress Russian Antarctic station was held. Its leader Viktor Vinogradov mentioned a high level of interaction between Russian researchers and colleagues from other states. He also shared some insights on the construction of a new wintering complex at the Vostok Antarctic station.

The function commemorated the visit of the Russian navigators to Australia’s Sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island (November 29 to December 1 1820). Another videoconference was organized with the Macquarie Island station. The Australian researchers shared their experience on working in harsh conditions and enlightened the audience on upcoming projects during this summer season. A song about the island written by Russian poet Alexander Gorodnitsky and composer Vladimir Kuskov was heartily welcomed by the ANARE Club members.

On the same day special postage-paid envelopes released by Australia Post to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of Bellingshausen’s Expedition were cancelled by three stamps ( Australia Post, ANARE Club, Russian Embassy).