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Symphonic icescapes

Nov 15, 2019 Estonian Life No. 46 2019


Irish-born Sir Ernest Shackleton, a heroic explorer, was almost obsessed with tying his name to Antarctica. Failing to be the first to reach the South Pole, he still returned, determined to make a sea crossing to the continent and to be the first to reach the South Pole by land. His ship was trapped near Elephant Island in ice and Shackleton set out with some of his crew to South Georgia, a trip of @1,300 km, on foot and by boat to seek help.

Symphony Antarctica

He succeeded. And saved his crew. This incredibly brave and selfless achievement was brought to the big screen, giant actually. “Shackleton's Antarctic Adventure” is an IMAX film, released in 2001 that tells the true story. A highly recommended reconstruction of how the frozen continent can enthrall. As an aside, “Sinfonia Antartica” is the Italian name Ralph Vaughan Williams gave to his seventh symphony, written to honour Shackleton’s feat, most worth listening to. (Read more:  Eesti Elu 15.11.2019 paper issue and PDF-digileht)

 

 

Tõnu Naelapea, Toronto

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