Every year on 21 June, South Africa joins the international community in observing the International Day of the Celebration of the Solstice , for the SANAP community, this day holds deep significance as the symbolic halfway point of the long overwintering period at our remote research stations.
Midwinter greetings
The Midwinter celebration is one of the most anticipated events of the year at SANAP’s three overwintering stations. Each team hosts their own festivities—decorating the station, dressing up for themed dinners, recording music or skits, and exchanging greetings with other Antarctic stations around the world. These creative and heartfelt celebrations boost morale and reinforce the deep bonds formed by shared isolation and scientific purpose. (Above: greetings from SANAE64 Overwintering Team)
“Warm midwinter greeting from the cold Marion Island. We would gather here in our cold South Atlantic home, as a family, to share meals, drinks and play games. Make it a memorable midwinter! From the cold South Atlantic Ocean, we wish you a warm midwinter!” – Marion 82 overwintering team
While winter rages on at the stations, the SANAP community in South Africa—including family members, research collaborators, and former overwintering personnel—also takes this time to reconnect and celebrate. Many past team members mark the occasion with gatherings, shared stories, and photos from their time on the ice and islands. This collective celebration builds a powerful sense of continuity and belonging, uniting generations of South Africans who have lived, worked, and researched in some of the most remote places on Earth.
A Shared Moment, A Global Connection – The Winter Solstice reminds us that even in isolation, our Antarctic teams are part of something larger—a global network of scientific exploration, environmental stewardship, and cultural resilience. From ice-covered plateaus to windswept islands, Midwinter is a time to pause, reflect, and celebrate the extraordinary spirit of all those who work at the edges of the world.