Other events in Baltic States

Thirty sculptors from eight countries will participate in the annual Jelgava Ice Sculpture Festival that will take place on the reconstructed Pasta Island, in the very heart of the city, from February 6 to February 8, 2015.

Jelgava municipal cultural institution "Kultura's" public relations officer, Marta Zivere, told LETA that the theme for this year's festival is "Ice Fairy Tale", and the festival would be one of the events marking the 750th anniversary of the city. Festival visitors will have the opportunity to see sculptures depicting characters from various nations' fairy tales, mythological figures, and abstract interpretations of popular fairy tales.

"Every year the International Association of Snow and Ice Sculpture collates information about the largest ice and snow sculpture festivals in the world. The name of Jelgava and Latvia has earned a permanent place among such major ice sculpture nations as China, Canada, United States and Russia, where festivals have been held for decades," explained Ziverte, adding that, according to the association's data, Jelgava has become the sixth largest such festival in Northern Europe.

This year, the jury has selected thirty professional sculptors from eight countries – Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Poland, Finland, Denmark, Serbia and France – to participate in the festival.

Besides sculptures that will participate in the festival's competition, there will also be a variety of other works of art made of ice – an ice bar, demo sculptures, and photo sculptures.

Over seventy tons of ice will be provided to the artists for the creation of sculptures.

The festival will also feature concerts starring Lauris Reiniks, Samanta Tina, Jurga, "Jonis" and others.

"The first day of the festival will be very special: the winners of the festival will be awarded, and the opening ceremony will feature various fairy-tale characters: Pinocchio, Little Red Riding Hood, three little pigs and others. There will also be ethnic and traditional music – performances by the drum and bagpipe ensemble "Auli" and ethno-percussionist Nils Ile," said Zivere.