Snow and ice festival lights up Moscow’s shores
Sculptors from all over Russia and the world came to carve their winter masterpieces.
Huge creatures and figures carved from snow and ice appeared along the Moscow River in Gorky Park as part of the “Snow and Ice” festival.
Sculpted, sanded, wrapped, shaped, scraped and cut, these figures were made by artists who came to Moscow from all over Russia, Belarus, Italy and Finland.
Several tons of ice and fresh snow were brought to the park for the artists to work on.
Alexander Avilov / Moskva News Agency
Ice artists use power and hand saws, screwdrivers and other tools to carve every detail of their creations.
Alexander Avilov / Moskva News Agency
Pieces take an average of 12 hours to craft, although larger multi-figure sculptures take much longer.
Alexander Avilov / Moskva News Agency
This year, the artists were lucky: cold weather and lots of fresh snow to work on or decorate their sculptures.
Alexander Avilov / Moskva News Agency
Masterclasses will be organized for budding artists of all ages.
Alexander Avilov / Moskva News Agency
You can walk along the quay every day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. They are brilliantly lit after dark.
Alexander Avilov / Moskva News Agency
Alexander Parfyonov, Barnaul’s 27-time ice sculpting champion, said the sculptures were “their gift to Moscow”.
Alexander Avilov / Moskva News Agency
“The only problem,” he said, “is that they don’t last long.”
Weather permitting, the festival will continue until February 28.
Alexander Avilov / Moskva News Agency