PolScapes

IMPRESSIONS
REMINISCENCES

REMINISCENCES
IMPRESSIONS


by Zbigniew Zwolinski

Poland has two permanent active scientific polar station. First station is situated in Hornsund, West Spitsbergen, Svalbard Archipelago, and second one is situated in Admiralty Bay, King George Island, South Shetlands, Antarctica.

During Christmas time two small groups of people, residing at Polish polar stations, far away from their homes, observe the most important catholic holiday in their solitude. The only companions they have are the animals, who during Bethlehem Night speak in human's voice. At both polar stations the Christmas Eve feast starts at 5:00 pm (local time). Everything seems similar to regular Christmas observance. The only difference is the scenery outside. At Spitsbergen there is a mid-winter and ever-deep polar night during whole day. At Antarctica is in a middle of summer and the whole day is sunny. At midnight 24th on 25th of December the improvised 'Pasterka' takes place. The small chapels in snow decor, attached to ice-rocks disguise as a temple.

This version of Christmas seems to differ. The loneliness can be sensed, in spite of the presence of dozen of friends from the station. The absence of the real home, the closest people and a real joy, which accompanies those holidays. Regardless of the distance of thousands kilometers, the thoughts are directed at the homeland and the (unpresent) closest people to them. The thoughts like: what are they doing now, do they still remember me, are there any presents for me?

Though the long distance, all station residents can spend some time with their beloved ones. Both stations have radio or satellite communication allowing everybody a few minute conversation with their closest at home. The fast exchange of sentences, everybody wants to say as much as possible, each wants to talk with that far away beloved one. Exchange of wishes, short conversation about the dinner menu, weather: we have plenty of snow, and you have again a warm and dark winter. Have to finish, the next polar station colleague is waiting and the next one... Everybody feels for at least short time the warmth of his/her home emitted from... the speaker. Afterwards they gather together and share their impressions from the past conversations with their closest at home. In each such conversation there is the same feeling, as all over the world: Merry Christmas.

If you want to know more about these event visit our site Polish Christmas in Polar Regions.



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