第37届中国·哈尔滨国际冰雕比赛2日启幕

Group 1 - The 37th China Harbin International Ice Sculpture Competition will commence on January 2, 2025, as a core event of the 2025-2026 Harbin Ice and Snow Season, hosted by the Harbin Municipal Government [1] - This year's competition has expanded in scale and features a new linkage between the Ice and Snow World and the Exhibition Center Square, with 76 high-level artists from 12 countries participating [1][2] - The event aims to enhance the artistic quality, international reach, and public engagement of ice and snow culture, showcasing the evolution of Chinese ice and snow art [2] Group 2 - The competition will last for three days, where participants will create sculptures using natural ice blocks from the Songhua River, evaluated by a panel of experts based on creativity, artistic expression, and technical skill [2] - Harbin, as the birthplace of Chinese ice and snow art, has been promoting the development of the ice and snow economy, culture, tourism, and sports since the first Ice and Snow Festival in 1985 [3] - The event is expected to enhance Harbin's international reputation as the "Ice City," attracting global tourists and showcasing the charm of transforming extreme cold into beauty [3]