Kitín Muñoz

Antonio "Kitín" Muñoz y Valcárcel or Kitín Muñoz (born 19 November 1958 in Sidi Ifni, Spain) is a Spanish navigator, scientist and sociological explorer. He is a champion of the causes of aboriginal people the world over, and uses his expeditions on primitive boats to spread his message of peace, multiculturalism and respect for indigenous cultures. As an ecologist and humanitarian, Kitín Muñoz seeks international attention to the threats that face indigenous people and their way of life. Inspired by Thor Heyerdahl Muñoz made three attempts to cross the Pacific Ocean, two of which failed, and one failed attempt to cross the Atlantic Ocean to prove that ancient seafarers sailing in reed boats could have crossed the oceans before the European expeditions of the 15th century.

Kitín Muñoz is also a former member of an elite unit of the Spanish Army, a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, and an honorary consul of Morocco. Kitín Muñoz is also notable for his 26 October 2002 marriage to Princess Kalina of Bulgaria, daughter of Simeon II of Bulgaria. The Royal wedding was the subject of a television documentary. The wedding ceremony was Roman Catholic but followed by an Eastern Orthodox blessing. Princess Kalina gave birth to a healthy boy, Simeon Hassan Muñoz, on 14 March 2007 at Lozenets Hospital in Sofia.

References

* [http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=8320&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html Kitín Muñoz] UNESCO page
* [http://www.nettyroyal.nl/kalina1.html Kitín & Kalina] "Netty's Royalty Page" about the wedding
* [http://perso.wanadoo.fr/joel.donnet/News133.htm "Kitin Muñoz sets out for a new maritime challenge"] Information on "Mata Rangi III" expedition
* [http://aula.el-mundo.es/aula/noticia.php/2000/01/20/aula948317462.html "Kitín Muñoz, un aventurero en los mares del sur"] Information on the "Uru" expedition in Spanish
* [http://www.hola.com/perfiles/kitinmunoz/ Kitín Muñoz] mini-bio in Spanish