With pride and deep respect, Uruguay’s Artigas Antarctic Research Station (BCAA) celebrated its 41st anniversary on December 22, 2025. Four decades of continuous presence at the southernmost edge of the world symbolize tireless dedication to science, international cooperation, and progress.
The anniversary provided an opportunity to honor the spirit that shapes daily life at the station: a sense of duty, perseverance, and a firm commitment to generating knowledge under extreme conditions. In this context, the base commander, Frigate Captain Bruno Delgado, the first officer of the National Navy to hold this position, emphasized the central mission of the BCAA: “Our primary task is, and will remain, to enable and support the production of knowledge.”
A special moment of recognition was dedicated to the crew of Antarkos XLII. They form the quiet, often invisible foundation of the station. Through their daily dedication, professionalism, and willingness to make sacrifices, they create the conditions that allow scientific work in Antarctica not only to be possible, but to advance continuously.
At the same time, attention is firmly directed toward the future. With the strategic goal of modernization by 2030, the BCAA is working on upgrading its infrastructure and expanding the use of renewable energy. These measures are intended to strengthen the station’s sustainability and ensure its operational capacity for future generations.
Thus, the 41st anniversary of the BCAA is not only a look back at a proud history, but also a commitment to the future, guided by science, responsibility, and international engagement at the end of the world.
Heiner Kubny, PolarJournal