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BELARE / Princess Elisabeth Antarctica

2020-2021 Antarctic Season Underway

2020-2021 Antarctic Season Underway

The time has finally arrived! The 2020-2021 Antarctic season upon us!

The BELARE (Belgian Antarctic Research Expedition) team arrived in Cape Town, South Africa at the beginning of November, where they are currently spending two weeks in quarantine before being allowed to journey to the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica (PEA) Research Station, where a shortened 2020 - 2021 season with a reduced team will take place.

Antarctic logistics during COVID-19

Times are different this year, as the spread of COVID-19 has rendered the execution of the of this current season more challenging, but not impossible.

Following the DROMLAN (Dronning Maud Land Air Network) COVID 19 Sanitary Protocol and with the help of the IPF Cape Town Operations Team, all members of the BELARE team have been self-isolating since their arrival in Cape Town at the beginning of November.

Every member of the expedition is required to isolate for a period of two weeks in Cape Town and undergo a number of COVID-19 tests before being allowed to proceed with their journey to the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica.

Every precaution to isolate and protect the BELARE team has been taken.

Once they arrive in Antarctica, the team will be isolated on Earth’s southernmost continent for the next few months.

Follow the adventure

For more details on these setons events, check out the website dedicated to the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica. Here you can find the latest news, photos, and videos of the season.

We’ll post regular updates about the important scientific research projects being undertaken at PEA as well as everyday happenings at the station.

The Princess Elisabeth Antarctica a few days after opening for 2024-2025 BELARE campaign.

The 2024-2025 BELgian Antarctic Research Expedition (BELARE) has officially begun with opening team hard at work!

The first 14 members of the BELgian Antarctic Research Expedition (BELARE) are off to a strong start opening and preparing the station for the arrival of scientists in the coming days. 

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Part of the contemporary portion of the MAS exhbition 'To the Antarctic'.

"To the Antarctic" Exhibition at MAS Closes but Leaves Behind Great Memories and Many Successes

The MAS exhibition 'To the Antarctic' welcomed more than 45,00 visitors over the 4.5 months that it was open to the public. 

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Aymar de Lichtervelde presenting about the water treatment system at the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica zero-emission polar research station

Another Successful Trip to the Arctic Circle Assembly

The International Polar Foundation was again present and active at the annual Arctic Circle Assembly and accompanying Arctic Circle Business Forum in Reykjavik, Iceland from October 17th-19th.

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A view of Bodø, Norway from above.

Arctic Futures Symposium 2024 Fast Approaching!

The latest edition of the annual Arctic Futures Symposium organised by the International Polar Foundation and its many Arctic stakeholder partners will take place in early December. Register to secure your spot!

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Alain Hubert receiving the 2024 Belgica Prize from Prof. Roland Souchez

Remembering Roland Souchez

IPF is sad to learn of the passing of glaciologist Professor Roland Souchez, who made important contributions to the fields of glaciology and climate science during his decades-long career.

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Lego enthusiast Daniel Vermeir poses with his scale replica of the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica

LEGO Enthusiast Daniel Vermeir on his Scale Model of the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica Station

To celebrate the opening of the exhibit “To the Antarctic: Belgica’s Polar Pioneers”, Antwerp resident and LEGO enthusiast Daniel Vermeir built an amazing scale model of the Princess Elisabeth Antarctica, the world’s first and to date only zero-emission polar research station.

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“To the Antarctic” Exhibition Opens June 21st at MAS Museum in Antwerp

“To the Antarctic” Exhibition Opens June 21st at MAS Museum in Antwerp

The International Polar Foundation has been part of creating a fascinating new exhibition on Belgium's contributions to Antarctic exploration and research, opening at the MAS Museum in Antwerp starting from Friday, June 21st.

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MAS Expo Opening Evening

Much-Awaited Exhibit at MAS Museum in Antwerp Opens to Large Crowds

After much anticipation, on Thursday, June 20th, the exhibition “To the Antarctic: Belgica’s Polar Pioneers” at Antwerp’s MAS Museum officially opened its doors.

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European Sustainable Energy Week Invites Alain Hubert to “Debate with Ambassadors” Panel

European Sustainable Energy Week Invites Alain Hubert to “Debate with Ambassadors” Panel

On Tuesday, June 11th, IPF Founder and President Alain Hubert was invited to participate in the “Debate with Ambassadors” panel at European Sustainable Energy Week 2024 (EUSEW24).

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Alain Hubert Awarded Prestigious Belgica Prize at Ceremony in Brussels

Alain Hubert Awarded Prestigious Belgica Prize at Ceremony in Brussels

At a ceremony held the afternoon of Monday, June 10th at The Royal Academy of Sciences of Belgium, Alain Hubert, Founder and President of the International Polar Foundation, received the prestigious Belgica Prize alongside French glaciologist Professor Jérôme Chappellaz.

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