THE NORTH POLE EXPEDITION 

8.06 – 19.11. 2023 

Fat Margaret

*Photo: Regional Museum in Teplice

Join us as we commemorate a significant moment in polar exploration history! This year marks the 150th anniversary of the discovery of Franz Josef Land by Czech-Austrian Julius Payer, a feat accomplished during his expedition towards the North Pole. To celebrate this milestone, we are organizing, for the first time, the Czech-Estonian Polar Forum aimed at discussing the long journey arctic research made since von Bellingshausen’s sighting of Antarctica in 1820 and Payer’s discovery in 1873. Estonian Maritime Museum together with the Embassy of the Czech Republic to Estonia cordially invites you to come to the Paks Margareeta tower on Thursday 8 June at 18:30.

You will listen to the presentations of Mr. Zdeněk Lyčka, a Czech diplomat and former Czech Ambassador to the Kingdom of Denmark, who will delve into the life and work of Julius Payer, Mr. Lauri Laanisto, Reasearch Professor for Artic studies and Professor of macroecology at the Estonian University of Life Sciences, who will share insights about joint Czech-Estonian research at Svalbard, and Ms. Mari Hunt, architect and member of the Estonian Polar Club, who will speak about her work on possibilities of arctic tourism on Franz Josef Land. The evening will also see an opening of an exhibition dedicated to Julius Payer paired with a glass of Czech wine or beer and light snacks.

Whether you are a polar exploration enthusiast or just keen to learn something new, this event is sure to offer an enriching experience!