30 SCULPTORS FROM 12 COUNTRIES BEGAN CREATING ICE SCULPTURES IN JELGAVA

Today, on January 30th, in Jelgava, 30 artists from 12 countries started work on the creation of sculptures for the competition contest of the 24th International Ice Sculpture Festival. On Pasta island, 30 tons of ice will be used to create sculptures in three days' time for the team category. Two artists participate in the creation of each team's sculpture and submitted a common sketch to the organizers when applying for participation in the festival.

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Interpreting the theme of this year's festival, "Ancient Deities", sculptors from Indonesia, Mongolia, the Czech Republic, Great Britain, Finland, the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia will bring to life characters such as the Minotaur, the Green Tara, the Shaman, the Thunder and other deities, mythological beings that have managed to conquer and be part of the cultures of different countries over time.

To create team sculptures, the participants of the competition use two large blocks of ice - each 210x110x50 centimeters in size, or two tons of specially frozen ice without air bubbles, which melts much slower than the ice found in nature. Each team sculpture is created in an individual tent so that it is less affected by the weather. Sculptors will continue creating team sculptures until the evening of February 1st.

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Already this weekend, from February 3rd to 5th in Jelghava the largest Ice Sculpture Festival in the Baltics will occur. Tickets are available at all "Biļešu Paradīze" box offices and on the website bilesuparadize.lv. Cheaper on pre-sale until February 2nd!

The International Ice Sculpture Festival in Jelgava is organized by the city of Jelgava and the institution "Kultūra" in cooperation with the companies "Ramirent" and "Husqvarna".

Take note! Visitors to the International Ice Sculpture Festival are cautioned not to bring pets, dogs will not be allowed in the event area. It is allowed to photograph and film sightseeing objects, but it is forbidden to fly unmanned aircraft or drones over the event area without coordination with the municipality.

By arriving at the event, the visitor agrees to be filmed and photographed. Recorded material may be broadcast, reproduced and distributed without restriction.