From Expedition to Exhibition. The Belgica Story of 125 Years – Reflections from a Curator’s Journal

This article explores the curatorial process behind the temporary exhibition The Dream of the First Polar Night – Belgica, the Antarctic Expedition 1897–1899, developed at the “Grigore Antipa” National Museum of Natural History, marking 125 years since the return of the Belgica expedition. Conceived as both a scientific and an emotional journey, the exhibition brought together original artifacts, documents, expedition maps, and interactive applications to revive the memory of the first human overwintering in Antarctica. Through communication strategies aimed at public engagement – including multimedia tools, immersive storytelling, and educational programs – the exhibition reconnected contemporary audiences with the legacy of Emil Racoviță and the Belgica crew. The article also reflects on the role of museums in preserving scientific heritage and proposes future directions for thematic exhibitions dedicated to great scientific expeditions that have transformed the way we understand the world