Generally, everything begins during a walk, a conversation, or in a fragrant summer. Sometimes it happens during difficult thoughts or stress. But I finally decided to write my first book near a window in a mountain cabin, when the sun peeked in and the sounds of summer reached me. And the second one – about Antarctica – in the autumn. I was studying at university then. During a break, there was some conversation, we mentioned Antarctica, and it felt like an electric shock hit me. I thought I really wanted to go to Antarctica. To begin with, I decided to read a book that would cover everything: how to get there, how to live there, what the weather and nature are like, what they research, a bit about history, and so on. Unfortunately, I didn’t find such a book, so I decided to write it.

About five years later, I returned to this idea. This was because I learned that the National Antarctic Scientific Center had a new director. I proposed to him that I would write a book, since I have a background in history and journalism, I am interested in geography, had already written one book, and take photographs. I mentioned that I understood I was asking for a favor, so I didn’t expect any fees or payments from the state. I committed to finding a publisher and publishing the book myself, as well as getting to the Ukrainian Antarctic “Vernadsky” research station at my own expense. The director, Yevhen Dykyi, gave the green light.

Over four months of preparation followed: I looked for sponsors, raised money, organized the trip, made arrangements with a publisher, established contacts, and began searching for information and publicizing my idea in the media.

Everything worked out more or less. I didn’t raise the entire sum, but I did make it to Antarctica. I traveled the ocean on the yacht “Selma,” and I saw Antarctica. I lived for a month at the Ukrainian research station, observing the life of the people there. I conducted interviews and made notes for the future book. I also took countless photos and videos. Some of the photos can be found in the book. But many more will be available on this website in the gallery.

I wrote the book for about two years. The book has over 600 pages. It’s non-fiction about my adventures, about Antarctica, about the people and their daily life, about science and history. In addition to my own impressions, I enrich the book with information I obtained from processing hundreds of materials. In the book “A Dream of Antarctica,” you can also find sections on the legal status of the continent, climate change, space research, the detective story of the continent’s discovery, the history of communication, or even a section on Antarctic cuisine.

The book was published in February 2022. For convenience, it can be read in electronic format, currently only in Ukrainian. However, a book summary is available for free in English and Spanish, and a book chapter is also free to read in English.