The Bulgarian Antarctic Base was founded in 1988 and since 1993, by decree of President Zhelyu Zhelev, it has been named after St. Kliment Ohridski. Since then, Bulgarian Antarctic scientists have been conducting numerous experiments in the fields of geology, geophysics, physics, meteorology, cartography, zoobiology, botany, ecology and medicine at the base located on Livingstone Island.

• Bulgaria is the only country on the Balkan Peninsula that has had a base in Antarctica for 35 years

This November, the 33rd Bulgarian polar expedition will dock on the Ice Continent, and one of its tasks is to carry out construction work on the base's new laboratory unit, which will have geological, biological and general multi-purpose rooms, as well as storage, technical and rest rooms. 

Realising what has been achieved in this most remote and pure place on earth, one certainly feels a certain amount of respect and reverence for these peacetime heroes of sorts and has probably asked more than once how did it come to this?

He says that in Antarctica his work was lonely - "you do everything yourself there - filming, sound, lighting". He then had help from "a small team of invaluable people".