What surprised the Harbin Ice Sculpture Festival in 2020

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

For many people, winter is clearly associated with snowdrifts, the New Year, a Christmas tree, the smell of fresh needles, tangerines and cinnamon. But do you know what a real winter fairy tale looks like? The annual Harbin Snow and Ice Festival can let you see for yourself what it is! How can you turn ordinary snow into an exciting magical land. Where everyone can again feel the same, forgotten by adults, childish feeling of faith in miracles.

Every year in Harbin, in the Heilongjiang province (China), an event is held, which today, without a doubt, can be called one of the most ambitious in the world - this is an international snow and ice festival. Participants create ice and snow sculptures that amaze the imagination with their filigree craftsmanship.

The first such festival took place in Harbin back in 1963. This was followed by a long, unexpected break. In China, the Cultural Revolution took place and it was possible to stage a similar show again only 22 years later. The festival, which took place this year, is already the 36th in a row.

The history of the festival has been quite complex and varied over the years. Initially, it was only available to Chinese members, but since 1999 it has grown in popularity very quickly. Today, this fabulous world of ice and snow sculptures is open to participants from other countries, this is an international prestigious competition and a great show.

Harbin is one of the coldest places on Earth. The inhabitants of this city have found a wonderful way to decorate this harsh time of the year for themselves. The Ice and Snow Festival runs from January 5th to February 25th. This year it is dedicated to the theme “Snow and Ice Integration: Happy to Walk Together”. Sculptors are free to express themselves as they please. Here you can see sculptures on any topic.

This wonderful annual event makes Harbin one of the most popular winter resorts. According to China Highlights, the festival attracts up to 15 million visitors annually. This year the festival is especially grandiose - its area is equal to the area of, for example, a city like Kazan, or two cities like Omsk or Penza.

The construction of this magical winter fairytale took 220,000 cubic meters of ice and snow this year. The largest sculpture is as tall as a 16-storey building. As many as 10,000 workers were hired to transport, cut and mold the ice!

People who decide to visit this festival have the opportunity not only to get aesthetic pleasure from the contemplation of these fabulous ice sculptures, but also to participate in various winter activities. There you can go for a sleigh ride, play hockey, go ice skating or skiing. Swimming competitions are organized for the bravest. In a word, everyone can find something to their liking there.

The festival in China is considered a very successful and romantic place for marriage. Many lovers from all over the country travel to Harbin to get married there. This year, 40 marriages have already been registered. So this incredibly beautiful magical place also connects loving hearts. In our other article about this fabulous festival, you can read about how Russians surprised the whole world by winning the ice sculpture competition in Harbin.