News
![[Translate to English:] Polarstern im westlichen Weddellmeer](/fileadmin/_processed_/d/3/csm_20190313_Polarstern_Westl_Weddellmeer_IlkaPeeken_024_c0f109d4e8.jpg "Polarstern in the western Weddell Sea")
![[Translate to English:] Schmelzwasserfluss in Cumberland Bay auf Südgeorgien](/fileadmin/_processed_/d/8/csm_20221204_Gletscherwasser_auf_Suedgeorgien_BereniceEbner_d78b9bdf9e.jpg "Meltwater flow in Cumberland Bay")
Focus
Short notices
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TEDx Talk: Stars of Polar Night
12. February 2026AWI photographer Esther Horvath was a guest at the TEDx Talk on February 9 with her presentation “Stars of Polar Night”. She shared insights into her work in the Arctic and Antarctic, as well as at the AWIPEV research station in Ny-Ålesund. With personal experiences and striking photos captured during the polar night, she illustrates how scientists conduct research in one of the most remote regions on Earth. Watch the talk.
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Live broadcast from Antarctica
11. February 2026A team from the Deutsches Theater has embarked on a journey to Antarctica to produce a theatre play there. Director Jan-Christoph Gockel, cameraman Lion Bischof, and actors Julia Gräfner and Wolfram Koch are living and working at Neumayer Station III for four weeks to experience Antarctica up close and ultimately share their experiences with audiences in the play “POLARIS.” An event gave the audience a first taste of the play with a live link to Antarctica. More information.
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Leif Erik Bodin visits the AWI Wadden Sea Station
26. January 2026On 23 January, Member of the German Bundestag (MdB) Leif Erik Bodin visited the AWI site on Sylt. He was welcomed by Maarten Boersma, Kerstin Mölter and Sabine Horn, before being given a tour of the institute that offered insights into the research activities conducted at the site. The visit concluded with an exchange on current topics.
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30 years in service to German polar research
16. January 2026For three decades, the crews and employees of the F. Laeisz shipping company have supported AWI research in the Arctic and Antarctic, both on land and at sea. Laeisz has operated the Polarstern since New Year's Eve 1995. On 15 January, the AWI honoured this successful collaboration during celebrations in Bremerhaven. A special memento was presented as a token of appreciation for the trusting and successful cooperation.
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Japanese delegation visits the AWI
17. December 2025As part of a research project on climate change education, a Japanese delegation from various universities visited the AWI to exchange ideas. In addition to discussions with researchers, the program also included visits to the Klimahaus in Bremerhaven and the German Emigration Center. The focus was on museum education concepts and international cooperation.
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Reception in Namibia
15. December 2025To mark the arrival of the Polarstern in Walvis Bay, Dr Thorsten Hutter, the German Ambassador to Namibia, visited the ship with his delegation. They were welcomed in the Blue Salon by Captain Felix Kentges, the interim director of the AWI, Prof. Dr. Maarten Boersma, and the expedition leader, Prof. Dr. Karen Wiltshire. The afternoon concluded with a presentation on the completed training expedition and a tour of the ship.