Artem Rabogoshvili: “I reached the North Pole by accident — but stayed in the Arctic for good”
Artem is the kind of person who can deliver a lecture on polar history in Russian, English, or Chinese — no matter the weather. A PhD holder, linguist by training and historian by calling, he’s been working in the Arctic for several seasons. His stories build a bridge between past and present, between imperial ambitions and today’s science.
Мы встретились во время арктической экспедиции на судне SH Diana, где Артём Рабогошвили работает гидом и читает лекции по истории этого региона. Разговорились.
Translating into Chinese in stormy weather
— Artem, how did your expedition work begin?
— It all started with foreign languages. I’m a linguist — I speak English and Chinese — and in 2017, a company urgently needed someone who could translate from English into Chinese. They had a large group of Chinese guests, and someone recommended me. That became my first contract — and right away it was on the nuclear icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy, heading for the North Pole. It was incredibly challenging — physically and mentally. People were walking around, the ship was rocking, and I had to understand everything the first time and instantly translate it into another language. But I got used to it. And I found myself at the North Pole — as if it were a gift.
— Did you agree right away?
— It may sound strange, but yes. I made the decision quickly, even though I’d never worked at sea before. I had worked as a translator — but never on a ship that rocked so much you could barely hold the microphone. There I was, standing behind the lecturer, listening in English and simultaneously translating into Chinese — without even going through my native language.
At first, I kept thinking: why am I doing this, how did I get myself into this? But then — I got into the rhythm. And when we finally reached the North Pole, I realised I was in love. With the extremity, the challenge, the beauty of the Arctic. That was my very first voyage. But even then, I knew it wouldn’t be the last.
It’s been more than seven years now, and I’m still here — between the Arctic and Antarctica. And honestly, I think this is the best job anyone could have!
— It all started with foreign languages. I’m a linguist — I speak English and Chinese — and in 2017, a company urgently needed someone who could translate from English into Chinese. They had a large group of Chinese guests, and someone recommended me. That became my first contract — and right away it was on the nuclear icebreaker 50 Let Pobedy, heading for the North Pole. It was incredibly challenging — physically and mentally. People were walking around, the ship was rocking, and I had to understand everything the first time and instantly translate it into another language. But I got used to it. And I found myself at the North Pole — as if it were a gift.
— Did you agree right away?
— It may sound strange, but yes. I made the decision quickly, even though I’d never worked at sea before. I had worked as a translator — but never on a ship that rocked so much you could barely hold the microphone. There I was, standing behind the lecturer, listening in English and simultaneously translating into Chinese — without even going through my native language.
At first, I kept thinking: why am I doing this, how did I get myself into this? But then — I got into the rhythm. And when we finally reached the North Pole, I realised I was in love. With the extremity, the challenge, the beauty of the Arctic. That was my very first voyage. But even then, I knew it wouldn’t be the last.
It’s been more than seven years now, and I’m still here — between the Arctic and Antarctica. And honestly, I think this is the best job anyone could have!
The Arctic, Antarctica, and the Academic Path
— What happened next?
— That same year, I was invited to Antarctica. There, I was no longer just a translator — I worked as a guide and lecturer. I gave lectures on the history of the polar regions — both the Arctic and Antarctica — in Russian, English, and sometimes Chinese.
I also accompanied guests, assisted during landings, and led what we call “recaps” — short summaries of what we experienced each day. Once I obtained my boat licence, I began driving the Zodiacs as well. So I became a full member of the expedition team.
— What exactly do you lecture about?
— About real heroes, forgotten expeditions, fatal mistakes, and how science moved forward by risking everything. I hold a PhD in history, and for me, the history of polar exploration is alive — it’s not something purely academic.
In parallel with this work, I also started studying people — from a linguistic and anthropological perspective. Every day you meet people from dozens of cultures. That, too, is part of the Arctic — the cultural, human side.
— That same year, I was invited to Antarctica. There, I was no longer just a translator — I worked as a guide and lecturer. I gave lectures on the history of the polar regions — both the Arctic and Antarctica — in Russian, English, and sometimes Chinese.
I also accompanied guests, assisted during landings, and led what we call “recaps” — short summaries of what we experienced each day. Once I obtained my boat licence, I began driving the Zodiacs as well. So I became a full member of the expedition team.
— What exactly do you lecture about?
— About real heroes, forgotten expeditions, fatal mistakes, and how science moved forward by risking everything. I hold a PhD in history, and for me, the history of polar exploration is alive — it’s not something purely academic.
In parallel with this work, I also started studying people — from a linguistic and anthropological perspective. Every day you meet people from dozens of cultures. That, too, is part of the Arctic — the cultural, human side.
The Arctic You Don’t See in Brochures
— Has the Arctic changed in recent decades?
— Absolutely. The people coming here today are very different. Some are romantics, others are collectors of experiences, some are naturalists. There used to be fewer of those. Travel has become more accessible now, but that doesn’t mean it has become easier.
Some guests arrive expecting the Arctic to put on a show: a polar bear on an iceberg, whales, and the Northern Lights — all in one day. And then — it rains. Or a heavy fog sets in. Or the ice prevents us from landing. And they’re disappointed. But then, suddenly, they start noticing the light dancing on the cliffs. Or they see an ivory gull circling above a floe. And they realise: this is the real thing — nature in its untouched beauty.
— How do you personally relate to this land?
— The Arctic teaches humility. Everything here is harder. Colder. More unpredictable. But that’s also its strength — you can’t bend it to your will. It is what it is. And you can either accept it, or leave.
I try to share that with our guests. Not just telling them facts, but speaking about feelings. What it’s like to stand on the shore of Greenland, where there’s not a single other soul. Or to ride a Zodiac along a glacier and hear it breathe. These are moments you can’t invent. You can only live them.
— And how do you prepare for each voyage?
— There’s a lot of prep work: routes, charts, weather windows. But everything can change at any moment. So every member of the team has to be flexible, calm, and ready to act in the unexpected.
I prepare as a historian — I reread expedition diaries, biographies. I also like to bring novels with me: Arctic Dreams or even something like Sheckley. Because the polar theme is both scientific and philosophical.
— Absolutely. The people coming here today are very different. Some are romantics, others are collectors of experiences, some are naturalists. There used to be fewer of those. Travel has become more accessible now, but that doesn’t mean it has become easier.
Some guests arrive expecting the Arctic to put on a show: a polar bear on an iceberg, whales, and the Northern Lights — all in one day. And then — it rains. Or a heavy fog sets in. Or the ice prevents us from landing. And they’re disappointed. But then, suddenly, they start noticing the light dancing on the cliffs. Or they see an ivory gull circling above a floe. And they realise: this is the real thing — nature in its untouched beauty.
— How do you personally relate to this land?
— The Arctic teaches humility. Everything here is harder. Colder. More unpredictable. But that’s also its strength — you can’t bend it to your will. It is what it is. And you can either accept it, or leave.
I try to share that with our guests. Not just telling them facts, but speaking about feelings. What it’s like to stand on the shore of Greenland, where there’s not a single other soul. Or to ride a Zodiac along a glacier and hear it breathe. These are moments you can’t invent. You can only live them.
— And how do you prepare for each voyage?
— There’s a lot of prep work: routes, charts, weather windows. But everything can change at any moment. So every member of the team has to be flexible, calm, and ready to act in the unexpected.
I prepare as a historian — I reread expedition diaries, biographies. I also like to bring novels with me: Arctic Dreams or even something like Sheckley. Because the polar theme is both scientific and philosophical.
Airships Over the Arctic
In May 1926, the Italian airship Norge, commanded by the legendary polar explorer Roald Amundsen, engineer Umberto Nobile, and American philanthropist Lincoln Ellsworth, became the first aircraft to cross the North Pole.
The expedition began in the settlement of Ny-Ålesund on the island of Spitsbergen. A special mooring mast had been built there — a unique structure that made it possible to launch an airship in such harsh Arctic conditions.
The expedition began in the settlement of Ny-Ålesund on the island of Spitsbergen. A special mooring mast had been built there — a unique structure that made it possible to launch an airship in such harsh Arctic conditions.
– The mast was constructed on the shoreline, in spite of the cold, wind, and permafrost. All efforts were focused on launching an aircraft 106 metres long, capable of staying aloft for days. The structure resembled a metal ship’s mast and served as the sole support for the airship’s nose during mooring. Remarkably, it has been well preserved to this day.
– The flight lasted around 72 hours. The airship travelled from Spitsbergen, over the Pole, and all the way to Alaska — covering more than 5,000 kilometres. It was a triumph of engineering and courage for its time.
– An interesting fact: the Norge was built in Italy and officially belonged to the country’s Air Force, yet the project united participants from three nations — Italy, Norway, and the USA. That’s why three flags flew aboard. This mission became the first confirmed expedition to reach the North Pole and a powerful symbol of technological progress during the age of great geographical discoveries.
Lesser-Known Pages of a Heroic Era
— If you were to make a film about polar history, which period would you choose?
— Without a doubt, the Heroic Age: the late 19th to early 20th century. When explorers still sailed to Antarctica on wooden sailing ships. When they tried to reach the South Pole without knowing how to feed their sled dogs or how to keep warm through the night. Scott, Amundsen, Shackleton... Even a Japanese expedition — almost completely unknown. They had neither proper equipment nor experience, yet they too longed to be the first.
— Without a doubt, the Heroic Age: the late 19th to early 20th century. When explorers still sailed to Antarctica on wooden sailing ships. When they tried to reach the South Pole without knowing how to feed their sled dogs or how to keep warm through the night. Scott, Amundsen, Shackleton... Even a Japanese expedition — almost completely unknown. They had neither proper equipment nor experience, yet they too longed to be the first.
Robert Scott
Roald Amundsen
Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton
Fridtjof Nansen
История Шеклтона: риск, провал, спасение
— You mentioned Shackleton. Why is he considered a hero despite the failure of his expedition?
— His expedition is a classic example of courage in the face of failure. In 1914, at the very start of the First World War, he set out for Antarctica with the goal of crossing the continent. He had been warned that the ship wasn’t ready. And indeed, it couldn’t withstand the ice and sank in the Weddell Sea.
But the crew survived. They built shelter out of lifeboats, and Shackleton, along with five men, spent two weeks crossing the stormy ocean in a small boat to reach South Georgia and summon help. Every single crew member survived. No one died.
— He made a mistake by rushing into the expedition — but saved everyone who had trusted him.
— That was strategy, leadership, and extraordinary strength of spirit. He didn’t reach his original goal, but he became a legend — because he never abandoned his people. Stories like this are the true treasures of polar history.
— His expedition is a classic example of courage in the face of failure. In 1914, at the very start of the First World War, he set out for Antarctica with the goal of crossing the continent. He had been warned that the ship wasn’t ready. And indeed, it couldn’t withstand the ice and sank in the Weddell Sea.
But the crew survived. They built shelter out of lifeboats, and Shackleton, along with five men, spent two weeks crossing the stormy ocean in a small boat to reach South Georgia and summon help. Every single crew member survived. No one died.
— He made a mistake by rushing into the expedition — but saved everyone who had trusted him.
— That was strategy, leadership, and extraordinary strength of spirit. He didn’t reach his original goal, but he became a legend — because he never abandoned his people. Stories like this are the true treasures of polar history.
Only those who do nothing make no mistakes
— Have there been cases where scientific theories failed in the field?
— Of course. The most famous example is Fridtjof Nansen’s expedition. He believed that if you froze a ship into the ice, the current would carry it to the North Pole. So he deliberately froze the Fram and waited. But the current didn’t take him there. They drifted, but in the wrong direction. Eventually, he left the ship and tried to reach land on foot.
— So the theory failed?
— Yes. It’s a perfect example of how even geniuses can make mistakes. Science, when it stands at the edge of survival, is always a risk. But stories like this are what give us the right to call ourselves a civilisation that explores.
— Of course. The most famous example is Fridtjof Nansen’s expedition. He believed that if you froze a ship into the ice, the current would carry it to the North Pole. So he deliberately froze the Fram and waited. But the current didn’t take him there. They drifted, but in the wrong direction. Eventually, he left the ship and tried to reach land on foot.
— So the theory failed?
— Yes. It’s a perfect example of how even geniuses can make mistakes. Science, when it stands at the edge of survival, is always a risk. But stories like this are what give us the right to call ourselves a civilisation that explores.
Why Everyone Should See the Arctic at Least Once
— What would you say to someone who has never been to the Arctic?
— First of all — don’t wait too long! The ice is disappearing. In twenty years, many of the routes we sail today may no longer have icebergs or drifting sea ice. Glaciers are retreating, melting, temperatures are rising.
Secondly — come here to understand what an expedition truly is. This is not a cruise. This is not a floating restaurant. It’s about trusting the team, witnessing precise coordination, making unique observations, and hearing the silence of the ice. This is where a new perspective on our planet is born.
Third — challenge yourself. Step into a zodiac in the fog. Breathe in the polar air. Feel the sway of the sea. It’s not about discomfort — it’s about truly living.
— First of all — don’t wait too long! The ice is disappearing. In twenty years, many of the routes we sail today may no longer have icebergs or drifting sea ice. Glaciers are retreating, melting, temperatures are rising.
Secondly — come here to understand what an expedition truly is. This is not a cruise. This is not a floating restaurant. It’s about trusting the team, witnessing precise coordination, making unique observations, and hearing the silence of the ice. This is where a new perspective on our planet is born.
Third — challenge yourself. Step into a zodiac in the fog. Breathe in the polar air. Feel the sway of the sea. It’s not about discomfort — it’s about truly living.
What to Read and Watch Before a Polar Journey
— Are there any books or films you'd recommend before visiting the polar regions?
— Absolutely. The best choice is to read autobiographies of polar explorers. For example, Valery Kotlyakov — an outstanding glaciologist, one of the first to propose the existence of subglacial lakes in Antarctica, including Lake Vostok. His research reads like an adventure novel. Or South by Ernest Shackleton, about the Endurance expedition. Or the journals of Franklin. Or biographies of Nansen and Amundsen. These works are not only about exploration — they’re about character. About strength and weakness. About how humans behave when pushed to their limits. And they are incredibly inspiring.
Watch films as well — not blockbusters, but documentaries about Shackleton, Scott, Amundsen. That’s the only way to grasp the true cost of every step across the ice.
I love revealing little-known chapters of history to people, showing them the wild beauty of the polar regions. The Arctic and Antarctic are never the same. No two icebergs are alike. No bear appears on schedule. Everything here is alive, unpredictable, wild — and beautiful. And if I can help someone feel that, even with a single word, then I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
— Are there any books or films you'd recommend before visiting the polar regions?
— Absolutely. The best choice is to read autobiographies of polar explorers. For example, Valery Kotlyakov — an outstanding glaciologist, one of the first to propose the existence of subglacial lakes in Antarctica, including Lake Vostok. His research reads like an adventure novel. Or South by Ernest Shackleton, about the Endurance expedition. Or the journals of Franklin. Or biographies of Nansen and Amundsen. These works are not only about exploration — they’re about character. About strength and weakness. About how humans behave when pushed to their limits. And they are incredibly inspiring.
Watch films as well — not blockbusters, but documentaries about Shackleton, Scott, Amundsen. That’s the only way to grasp the true cost of every step across the ice.
I love revealing little-known chapters of history to people, showing them the wild beauty of the polar regions. The Arctic and Antarctic are never the same. No two icebergs are alike. No bear appears on schedule. Everything here is alive, unpredictable, wild — and beautiful. And if I can help someone feel that, even with a single word, then I know I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.
The Arctic is beautiful!
I love revealing the lesser-known pages of history and showing people the wild beauty of the polar regions. The Arctic and Antarctic are never the same. No iceberg looks like another. No polar bear appears on schedule. Everything is alive, ever-changing, wild – and beautiful. And if I can help someone feel that, even with just a single word – then I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.