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Monday, June 21, 2021

Celebrating Midwinter in Antarctica

 

21 June 2021 News stories

British Antarctic Survey (BAS) is celebrating Midwinter’s Day (Monday 21 June) as staff in three British Antarctic Territory Research Stations mark the shortest and darkest day of the year on the frozen continent. The tradition began in the days of heroic exploration of Antarctica with Captain Scott; our science and support teams will celebrate by braving the elements with a Winter Olympics, crazy golf, murder mystery evening and a movie marathon. 

This is a particularly poignant Midwinter as it is the 60th Anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty, which designated Antarctica as a “natural reserve, devoted to peace and science”. The 43 Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting is currently taking place in Paris and Antarctic nations are discussing how to protect Antarctica for future generations.