These are the Midwinter greetings we received from around the world. I put them in the order in which we received them. At the end is the greeting we sent out to other stations.
Vernadsky Station, Ukraine
Dear Friends, Colleagues and Expeditioners:
The 2001/2002 wintering team of the Ukrainian Antarctic Vernadsky Station is sending to you best wishes for pending celebration of Midwinter. Hope with the sun turning back it warms our houses and hearts, lights up the delightful nature surrounded us and brings new perspectives, ideas and good friends in our live. Good wishes and kind regards to all.
HAPPY MIDWINTER
Oleg Budanov
Pavlo Budanov
Konstantin Garmash
Ruslan Shabovich
Ighor Klubuk
Gennadiy Gera
Victor Omelchenko
Sergiy Klok
Vasiliy Yanduk
Mihail Golovushkin
Yuriy Glibin
Anatoliy Loza
Bill Spindler, 1977 South Pole Winterover
this greeting from the old days is even more applicable nowadays since the dome is a bit more buried than it used to be:
http://www.southpolestation.com/winter/mwdgreeting1.jpg
keep warm
Bill
Palmer Station, United States
Dear Friends!
The 36 scientists and support personnel of Palmer Station extend our warmest mid-winter greetings to our Antarctic colleagues throughout this remarkably beautiful continent. We work together in peace, a powerful reminder to the world of humanity's true potential.
We are fortunate to celebrate this day with 26 friends from our Antarctic Research and Supply Vessel, the Laurence M. Gould. The "Gould" is currently supporting two science groups who are studying the cold adaptations of Antarctic fish. Together, our mid-winter family includes citizens from Argentina, Australia, Chile, Italy, New Zealand, the Philippines, and the United States.
May your mid-winter celebration be festive, and the remainder of your winter sojourn safe, productive, and successful.
With warmest regards,
Pamela A. Hill, Station Manager
H. William Detrich, Station Science Leader
Palmer Station
Anvers Island, Antarctica
64 46'S 64 03'W
An attachment included with Palmer's greetings (A photo of Palmer Station)
Scott Base, New Zealand
To All Our Fellow Winterers In Antarctica And All Those Who Support Us Around The World,
As we celebrate mid-winters day , we should perhaps pause to reflect on the last century and the achievements made by so many hardy souls in the pursuit of knowledge about this great continent. As we do that, we should also give some thought to those brave people who have given their lives gaining that knowledge.
The winter team in the 44th year at Scott Base, passes on to everyone wintering on the ice our sincere best wishes. We hope that fortune continues to smile upon your endeavours.
With the sun now at it's lowest point below the horizon, the return of sunlight will be soon for some, but a number of months for others. Whichever applies to your location, there will be a noticeable lightening of spirits with the knowledge that the night will soon be gone.
Enjoy the rest of your winter and return home safe to your friends and families.
Best Regards,
Dave Brice - Base Manager
Jonathan Leitch - Engineering Manager
Steve Plant - Base Engineer
Phil Snelling - Carpenter
Aaron Lock - Chef
Nicki Fairbairn - Domestic
Mark Herrick - Mechanic
Doug Bell - Electrician
Jamie Plowman - Science Tech
Anthony Powell - Telecom Tech
Jonathan Leitch,
Engineering Manager,
Scott Base,
Antarctica.
Brazilian Antarctic Programme
HAPPY MIDWINTER'S DAY
The Secretary of the Interministerial Commission for de Resources of the Sea and the staff of the Brazilian Antarctic Programme send you our best wishes for a very fruitful work in the coming season. Please , extend our greetings to those wintering in Antarctic. People involved in Antarctic activities know the hardship and loneliness some of you are experiencing down South and have high respect for the work of all expeditioners. Now that the longest night has passed , lets cheer the forthcoming return of the sun and let its brightness and warmth rise our spirits. We hope you all had a happy Midwinter celebration.
President Bush
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
June 19, 2001
I am pleased to send warm greetings for Midwinter's Day 2001 to the scientists, researchers, and other professionals from around the world who are stationed in Antarctica. This June 21 observance is a special time to recognize your contributions to learning and knowledge.
More than 40 years ago, 12 nations pledged their commitment to a unique experiment based on international cooperation, scientific understanding, and peaceful co-existence. The Antarctic Treaty brought together an international community of scientists to collaborate on new discoveries and shared global problems.
Today, the international science community working in Antarctica is carrying on this proud legacy, helping us to learn more about global processes affecting Earth's environment. Consequently, we will have the solid scientific information we need to develop sound environmental policies. Exciting discoveries, like the recent astrophysical breakthroughs in understanding the nature of the Universe at its infancy, also inspire young people to sharpen their math and science skills and to prepare for the opportunities of tomorrow.
The United States is proud to support your important work in Antarctica. Your spirit of cooperation, demonstrated recently by an international effort to rescue a sick colleague at the South Pole, inspires people everywhere. I applaud you for your courage and professional dedication as you work in a tough and unforgiving environment.
As you observe Midwinter's Day 2001, I send best wishes for a productive and rewarding experience in Antarctica. May God bless you and bring you safely home to your families.
George W. Bush
Maitri Station, India
DATE: 20th June 2001
"HAPPY MID WINTER DAY"
Warm wishes in this icy wilderness are sent to you all Polarmen from The Indian Antarctic Station Maitri.
Antarctica in all its isolation continues to be mystifying, beautiful and fragile too. Our major concern today is perhaps conservation of this still largely unpolluted and fragile continent, which offers unique opportunities for Scientific Research. This Unique Continent of Science has thus attracted the brave scientist and Polar men like you to venture and seek answers to your scientific quest in your pursuance for a better world. Antarctica continues to offer an excellent opportunity for continued international co-operation.
Please accept our warm wishes on the occasion of mid-winter day. We wish that you complete the wintering over in Antarctica safely and achieve all your goals and above all your stay in this continent becomes memorable.
It will be nice to receive mails from you all and also to share your experiences during coming months.
MERVIN D'SOUZA
STATION COMMANDER & LEADER
Maitri
WITH 23 BRAVE POLAR MEN WINTERING OVER WITH ME AT MAITRI
Neumayer Station, Germany
Dear friends in the overwintering time,
Only few people have the privilege to celebrate the midwinter solstice in Antarctica. Here, in this hostile environment, this day is attached with much more importance than at home, where the ancient meaning of the midwinter festival is almost forgotten.
During the antarctic polar night, one gets a feeling again for the importance of sunlight for nature and, as a part of it, for human beings like us.
We aren't completely apart from any life, nearby there are seals and penguins. Nevertheless we begin to await eagerly the great variety of life wich we are used to be surrounded with. Far from any semblance of civilization (except the base itself) we also miss the cultural life. Our team was selected for a scientific mission, not only for our country, but also for the whole world.
Simultaneously a special kind of companionship has grown between the menbers of our team and all the other people doing their work on this continent, independent from their nationality. May everyone retain this feeling of togetherness in the future and act in these terms after
homecoming.
The whole team wishes you a nice day and a big party
Dr. Werner Bittner
leader of of the 21. crew
Neumayer Station
President Kuchma, President of Ukraine
21 June 2001
Dear friends!
My Midwinter greetings to all scientists and winterers of Antarctic stations who provide important research during this winter. Let this holiday will be a symbol of Sun appearance above the icy continent and bring you the hope on success in your research, safe returning to home and confidence that you work serves to high quality science and education for all mankind.
This year Ukraine has ratified the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty and with all international community of researchers of the South region will take responsibility for conservation of the beauty and unique nature of the sixth continent.
Wish you happiness, good health and forthcoming successes in your generous work!
President of Ukraine
Leonid Kuchma
Japanese Antarctic Research Expeditions
To all stations in Antarctica,
On behalf of the Headquarters of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expeditions, I would like to greet all of you working at each national-base in the Antarctic at this time of the Mid-Winter Day of 2001.
I convey the respect of all the staff to you for your devoted efforts, both day and night, in conducting scientific research in such an extremely severe environment. I believe that these efforts will contribute significantly to world peace and the welfare of mankind.
I look forward to you accomplishing your research objectives and returning safely to your home countries.
Atsuko Toyama
Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Syowa Station, Japan
Dear Antarctic Colleagues,
We, forty members of the 42nd Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE-42), send you our best wishes for the midwinter celebrations 2001 from Syowa Station on Ongul Island, Queen Maud Land.
It is our great pleasure to share the first midwinter in the new century with other Antarctic Colleagues from many nations on this frozen but attractive continent.
We strongly believe that this darkness during the midwinter marks the sign of the next dawn for the new era, and our steady scientific activity in the hard environment should add further step for our understanding and international cooperation on this unique planet.
Hoping your safe return to your families and friends in your home countries after spending the rest of the wintering days with full of wonder, delight and satisfaction.
All the best,
Yoichi MOTOYOSHI, PhD (Station Leader)
and Crew of JARE-42
Syowa Station
Ongul Island, Antarctica (69-00S, 39-35E)
An attachment included with Syowa's greetings
Russian Antarctic Expedition
To Antarctic wintering stations and COMNAP/SCALOP colleagues
On behalf of all the staff of the Russian Antarctic Expedition we would like to send our best wishes to our Antarctic friends and colleagues around the world.
Our special mid-winter greetings to those staying and working in Antarctica for the remainder of the winter. We wish you every success in your programs and a safe return to your families. Looking forward to the expected rise of the sun.
Sincerely yours,
Valery Lukin and Valery Klokov
Russian Antarctic Expedition
British Antarctic Survey
On behalf of the British Antarctic Survey I send you all warmest greetings and best wishes for midwinter 2001.
Midwinter is a very special time for those privileged to be in Antarctica. It is a time for reflecting on past achievements and looking forward to the new challenges which will surely come as the sun returns. It is also a time for coming together as a community, for fun, and for relaxation.
Midwinter allows us to celebrate anew the strong international fraternity of antarctic professionials, the strength of which was yet again so amply demonstrated by the medivacs carried out earlier this year.
I wish you all the best for the rest of this antarctic winter and for the summer season to follow.
John Dudeney
Australian Antarctic Division
Dear Antarctic Colleagues
On behalf of all the staff of the Australian Antarctic Division and all ANARE Expeditioners, I send you our warmest greetings for the 2001 mid-winter.
Midwinter marks a turning point in the year, and the return of the sun in the coming months will bring hope and cheer as all Antarctic expeditioners prepare for the busy programs of the Austral summer, and their eventual safe return home to friends and loved ones around the world.
Best wishes for the remainder of the Antarctic winter, and I hope your work continues to be safe, happy and successful.
With our best regards
AJ (Tony) Press
Director
Australian Antarctic Division
21 June 2001
Chilean Antarctic Institute
ON THE OCCASION OF THE ANTARCTIC MID-WINTER DAY, THE DIRECTOR OF CHILEAN ANTARCTIC INSTITUTE AND STAFF HAVE GREAT PLEASURE IN SENDING THEIR WARM GREETINGS TO ALL WHO ARE WINTERING IN ANTARCTICA THIS YEAR; MANAGERS, SCIENTISTS, LOGISTICS OPERATORS, ENGINEERS AND ALL PERSONNEL THAT OVERWINTER IN THE STATION.
WE KNOW VERY WELL THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR PRESENCE AND WORK IN ANTARCTICA, AND ALSO THE DIFFICULTIES THAT YOU HAVE TO ENDURE EVERY DAY IN THIS FASCINATING CONTINENT. WE ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR COURAGE AND DETERMINATION. WE WISH YOU A GRATIFYING STAY IN ANTARCTICA AND A SAFE RETURN HOME
WITH BEST REGARDS,
OSCAR PINOCHET DE LA BARRA
Ambassador
Instituto Antártico Chileno Director
King Sejong Station, South Korea
Dear Friends
On behalf of fifteen members of the Overwintering Party of the 14th Korea Antarctic Research Program at King Sejong Station located in King George Island, South Shetland Islands, West Antartica, I, Dr. Soon-Keun Chang, Officer-in-Charge of King Sejong Station, would like to send our very sincere greeting and best wishes to all the members of your station on occasion of Midwinter's Day, June 21, 2001.
I think, Midwinter's Day deserves celebration in that it is the big hump day of your stationing. I believe all your efforts will contribute significantly to enhance the welfare of human being and peace of the world.
I hope that your work goes well for the rest wintering and that you will have a safe return to your home. Please keep enjoying your stay.
Best Wishes
Dr. Soon-Keun Chang
Raytheon Polar Services
Mid-Winter Greetings to our co-workers in Antarctica from your colleagues in Colorado.
The sacrifices and accomplishments made by each of you in support of the U.S. Antarctic Program are recognized and valued. You are an amazing group of people. Raytheon is proud to have you as employees.
On behalf of all Raytheon employees, best wishes for a continued safe, productive and personally fulfilling winter.
Tom Yelvington, Vice President
Raytheon Technical Services Company
Antarkos XVII Station, Uruguay
Dear friends...,
the antartic life is a very dificult and our mission is in the ciencie and for the peace. Have a good Mid-Winter Greeting for all.
Crew ANTARKOS XVII - Uruguay.-
An attachment included with Antarkos' greetings.
Polarstern
Dear friends,
thanks a lot for your mid-winter greetings from Antarctica.
We left Bremerhaven last Tuesday for the Arctic and are now at 62°N off the Norwegian Coast. Due to some fog and clouds we do not yet feel very like mid-summers day, but hope to reach soon a high pressure system on our way towards the Greenland Sea which we allow us to enjoy Arctic summer and mid-night sum!
We wish you good luck and all the best for the continuation of your work on Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station and a good return.
With my best regards
Eberhard Fahrbach
chief scientist
"Polarstern"
From Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station to others.
The crew at South Pole Station extends a Hearty Mid-Winter Greeting to all our friends and colleagues on the continent and beyond!
Technology, at once both the cause of and solution to our problems, brings us ever closer to civilization and reduces the isolation of Antarctica. Nevertheless we long for the company of our family and friends. We wish they were here with us to experience the peace and tranquility of this frozen place.
We invite you to join us in anxious anticipation of the return of the sun and celebration of its change of course on this midwinter's day.
With warmest mid-winter regards,
Jerry "Mac" Macala
South Pole Winter Site Manager
Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station
Midwinter Page
Page created on 6 July 2001. Last updated 6 July 2001 at 20:33 New Zealand Standard Time.