Municipalities today

During the 34th Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition, the head of the Bulgarian Antarctic Institute, Prof. Hristo Pimpirev, and journalist Maria Cherneva raised the flag of Etropole Municipality on the icy continent. This symbolic gesture brought the name of the Bulgarian town to one of the most remote points on the planet.

Antarctica is also home to Etropole Peak, named after the town – another testament to Bulgaria’s presence and its municipalities on the continent’s geographical map. The flag was provided by Mayor Vladimir Aleksandrov of Etropole during the presentation of the book Antarctica in the town. He handed it to Prof. Pimpirev with the wish that it reach the icy continent as a symbol of the connection between the local community and Bulgarian scientific missions.

The 34th Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition is among the country’s major national scientific initiatives, involving researchers from various fields. The studies focus on climate change and natural processes in the region, contributing to the development of Bulgarian science and international cooperation.

Flying the Etropole flag during the expedition adds symbolic meaning to the participation of Bulgarian municipalities in national initiatives, reinforcing the link between local authorities, science, and public heritage.