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Belarus Polar Explorers Campaign for Historical Justice The official start of the expedition Polar Ring was scheduled for February 9, although the explorers, themselves, had plans to stay in the home country for another couple of days to settle all formalities, which are important for the success of such a risky undertaking. Only Victor Radkevich’s land-rovers were on the site by the day. The designer and his five adventurous friends will join their vehicles in two days after they have covered the distance between Moscow and Yakutsk by air. Vice Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Drazhin said, “The expedition should reveal the sports and industrial potential of our country.” The potential is most likely to open up on the route from Yakutsk to Canada. We shall be able to witness it daily owing to BelSwissBank, which helped the expedition buy a PC and special equipment to establish direct communication with the home country. “The decision to support our polar explorers was unanimous as this is a landmark event for our country,” Chairman of BelSwissBank Board of Directors Vitaly Kazbanov said, while seeing the expedition off. “Let’s keep our fingers crossed now!” The first satellite link-up is already scheduled for February 25. We interviewed Vladimir Drabo, the leader of the expedition, only a few hours before his second attempt to conquer the polar region. “SB”: We have first spring thaws here, but your team probably follows another thermometer… V.D.: In the morning we contacted Yakutsk. The temperature there was 48 below zero at noon (before the dawn actually broke in Belarus) and four degrees lower at Oymiakon “cold pole.” But we are accustomed to such temperatures. “SB”: What is the major goal of your expedition? V.D.: There is much confusion about the pioneers of the Arctic Region. For instance, Yakutsk has a monument to our fellow countryman Eduard Pekarsky, who gave the written language to Yakuts. There is an inscription on it that says: “To the great Polish explorer.” We want to restore the historical justice. “SB”: In what way? By changing the inscription? V.D.: Yes. Yakuts are ready for that. Together with Doctor of Geography Valery Yarmolenko we found more than 40 names of Belarusians recognized as either Russian or Polish explorers. In 1732 Alaska was discovered by a Belarusian – Dmitry Pavlutsky, but the fact wasn’t registered practically anywhere. This is why we’ll take a special memorial board to be placed in Alaska. If we cross the Bering Strait, of course. “SB”: What do you mean? V.D.: There is drift ice between the Arctic and the Pacific Oceans so the crossing will be quire risky… We plan to cross the Bering Strait by land-rovers. If there is a storm, we’ll have to go northwards and follow the Chelyuskin’s way. There will be no open water there, but the passage may become 200-300 km longer… “SB”: I noticed that you are taking the flags with you… V.D.: We shall place them proudly in Alaska – the national flag of Belarus, the flag of BelSwissBank and other companies – to let them learn more about our country. “SB”: Where shall you sleep? Your vehicles are not the best place for that. V.D.: We are taking tents. They are comfortable enough, though it’s only 5 degrees warmer inside. But this is our lifestyle, a way of thinking even. When you’ve been to places it’s really hard to survive in, you start looking at everyday life differently. Everyday problems seem mere trifles. “SB”: Now you’ll be able to talk to your families on-line… V.D.: That’s great! Earlier we could only send telegrams. Even now we are going to send traditional telegrams to our families, saying: “We are o.k.” It cannot be otherwise – we’ve spent a year in preparation.
Irina Zavadskaya, «SB» |
