Princess Elisabeth Station Celebrations
The inauguration of the Princess Elisabeth Station was a success and a dream come true. Alain Hubert, in the opening ceremony preceding the official inauguration, reminded everyone that the International Polar Year had been the drive for this initiative and the motor for returning to Antarctica in the name of science.
Sabine Laruelle, Minister of the Belgian Science Policy Office, expressed how proud she was of being present in Antarctica for the inauguration of the station, while Pieter De Crem, Belgian Minister of Defence, took the opportunity to go over the pioneering role Belgium has had in Antarctica throughout history.
Because the weather conditions were so favourable upon their arrival, the official inauguration of the station took place at 1 pm (central European time). The inauguration was followed by a tour of the station and of its facilities and was followed by a delicious dinner prepared by the Antarctic continent's most renowned chefs.
Picture: Inauguration of the Princess Elisabeth Station in Antarctica - © International Polar Foundation