Anatoli Norman Antarctica
ANATOLI NORMAN – THE FIRST ESTONIAN TO OVERWINTER IN ANTARCTICA
His story is an inspiring glimpse into humankind’s efforts to understand and conquer the harshest environments on Earth. The exhibition, curated by the Estonian Maritime Museum, presents rare photographs, diary excerpts, and artifacts that reveal Anatoli Norman’s life and work in Antarctica. What challenges did he face? What is Estonia’s role in polar research?
Anatoli Norman (1937–2023) was the third person from Estonia to reach Antarctica and the first to overwinter there. Before him, oceanologist and marine geologist Ivar Murdmaa and writer Juhan Smuul had set foot on the southern continent, but only for brief visits.
Overwintering in Antarctica is complex and expensive. In this century, no one from Estonia has overwintered there. Expeditions now take place only during seasonal summer periods in the Southern Hemisphere, when it is winter in the north. Recently, Priit Tisler, a member of the Estonian Polar Club, returned from his 10th season in Antarctica, where he proudly represents Estonian polar researchers at a Finnish research station. The last Estonian to overwinter was meteorologist Vladimir Gussev, who joined a Soviet Antarctic expedition in 1990 and returned home in 1992—to an independent Estonia.
As mentioned, Anatoli Norman was the first Estonian to overwinter in Antarctica. The term “overwintering” itself requires some explanation, as one overwintering period can extend across three years. Anatoli embarked on his first overwintering mission in 1960 aboard the motor vessel Estonia, built in East Germany. The ship departed from Leningrad in December 1963, reaching Antarctica at the end of January 1964. He did not return home until 1965.
In total, Anatoli overwintered in Antarctica three times—the same number as Vladimir Gussev and meteorologist Rein Randmets. Interestingly, as a seismologist, Anatoli Norman was the only Estonian overwinterer to stay three times at the same research station—Novolazarevskaya, located on Princess Astrid Coast, 100 kilometers from the sea. Vello Park, however, holds the Estonian record with four overwintering missions at three different stations (Molodyozhnaya, Mirny, and Vostok).
I first met Anatoli while preparing the first Antarctic exhibition at the Estonian Maritime Museum in 1984. At the time, I was trying to locate people who had worked in Antarctica as scientists or had any connection to the field. I still remember his witty sketches on the margins of his photo albums and his warm personality. He was active in the Estonian Polar Club during its early years, but like many others who did not live in Tallinn, he eventually distanced himself from the organization.
Text: Katrin Savomägi
TEAM
Curators: Katrin Savomägi (Estonian Polar Club), Alo Ervin (Estonian Maritime Museum)
Graphic Design: Kärt Talvik (Fly Illustration)
Language Editor: Hille Saluäär
Translation: Toimetaja Translation Bureau
Printing: OÜ Grano Digital
Showcase Construction: Siltau Systems OÜ
Exhibit Installation: Villu Plink
Estonian Maritime Museum Team: Anna-Liisa Õispuu, Iris Tomson, Oksana Leontjeva, Mirjam Mardi, Valter Vaht
Illustrations: Anatoli Norman
Photos: A. Norman’s private collection and Estonian Maritime Museum
Special Thanks To: Andres Eero, Kadi Karine