On September 25 First Vice-President of the Russian Geographical Society, explorer of the Arctic and Antarctic, great Russian scientist, oceanographer, Hero of the Soviet Union, Hero of the Russian Federation Artur Chilingarov celebrates his 75th anniversary.
He was a legend in the Soviet times. He became famous by leading unique, but extremely risky polar expeditions which ended, contrary to many forecasts, quite successfully. The first one was Komsomol youth drifting station “North Pole – 19″. The floe where young explorers were working, split, however Chilingarov managed to take the necessary measures and the station safely continued its work.
In the second half of the 80s of XX century, he led another risky expedition to rescue the research vessel “Mikhail Somov” stuck in the ice of Antarctica. Few believed in its success, but Chilingarov, despite great difficulties and critical situations, managed to break the ice on his way to “Somov” by a diesel icebreaker “Vladivostok” (nuclear icebreakers are prohibited to enter the Antarctic area. -. Eds.) and to get it out of ice captivity. For this feat he was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
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In the 90s of the XX century, when the government ceased to allocate necessary funds for the development of the Arctic and Antarctic research, Arthur Nikolaevich proved the folly of such approach. He headed the Association of Polar Explorers and used this opportunity to change such attitude to these problems, since dodging such problems was contrary to the interests of the country. As the deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation he was elected to Parliament representing the Polar region. Arthur Nikolaevich became the acknowledged leader of deputies from the northern and arctic regions of the country and was actively involved in the development and adoption of federal legislation in the interests of northerners.
He combined active political and social activities with the organization of polar expeditions as unique and risky as in the Soviet times. Thus, he managed to organize and successfully carry out an expedition to Antarctica, during which the members of the expedition reached the South Pole by helicopters for the first time. Few people believed that it was possible, and for the staff of the American polar station Amundsen-Scott, located at the South Pole, Russian helicopters was a complete surprise.
In the summer of 2007 Chilingarov organized a high-latitude Arctic expedition, during which the submersibles “Mir-1″ and “Mir-2″ reached the bottom of the Arctic Ocean at the geographic point of the North Pole at a depth of about 4.5 kilometers. The Russian flag made of titanium was set up at the bottom of the ocean. This achievement was recognized the world-class geographical discovery and caused a wide resonance in the world. But the main thing is that Russia once again proved that, despite the experienced difficulties and complications, it is still a great maritime and polar state. For implementing this unique expedition Arthur Nikolaevich was awarded the title of Hero of Russia.
Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Chilingarov remains today a recognized leader in the Arctic and Antarctic research. Not a single polar expedition can do without him, many travelers ask Arthur Nikolaevich for help and support and never get no for an answer. Being First Vice President of the Russian Geographical Society Chilingarov is a member of its Governing Council and also directs the work of the Council of Regions.
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The famous Arctic explorer pays special attention to intensification and expansion of the Society’s operations in the northern and Arctic areas. In recent years environmental cleanup of the Arctic territories which were littered with industrial waste in the Soviet Era acquires increasing attention. By the way, few people know that Arthur Nikolaevich was one of the initiators and organizers of the environmental movement in our country. So this activity – the continuation of the work started in the Soviet Union.
Chilingarov is entrusted with many important positions. He is the special representative of the President of Russia in international cooperation in the Arctic and Antarctica, the head of the Non-commercial partnership for the use of the Northern Sea Route, the president of the Association of Polar. And everywhere he puts his heart and his soul into his work, supports and promotes promising beginnings, actively helps young researchers and travelers.
The merits of the famous polar explorer are recognized in many states. He was awarded medals and orders of many countries. But one of the most valuable – a gold medal of the Russian Geographical Society. President of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Russian Geographical Society V.V. Putin awarded Chilingarov this medal for his outstanding contribution to the study of the Arctic and Antarctic.
Grand Gold Medal – the highest award of the Russian Geographical Society, it is awarded rarely. Outstanding scientists and travelers of world-class, whose names are imprinted in gold in the history of geographical exploration and discovery get this Medal. Among them is the prominent Russian explorer N.M. Przewalski and the famous Norwegian polar explorer F. Nansen.