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Today, on February 3, 30 artists from 13 countries started work on creating sculptures for the 26th International Ice Sculpture Festival competition in Jelgava. Currently, team sculptures are being created on Pasta (Post) Island. By Friday, the sculptors will complete 45 competition sculptures in total—15 team works on Pasta (Post) Island and 30 individual art pieces, which will be placed on Jānis Čakste Boulevard.

In the first days of the competition, impressive team sculptures are being created on Pasta (Post) Island — each team sculpture uses approximately two tons of ice. To ensure the ice stays intact and prevents it from melting, the artists are working in closed tents, where the sculptures are protected from changing weather conditions such as sun, wind, and rain. This environment allows the ice to retain its clarity and durability.

The team sculptures are expected to be completed by Wednesday evening. Starting Thursday, the artists will focus on creating individual sculptures, which have been allotted a day and a half for completion. In addition to the competition sculptures, visitors will also be able to enjoy other ice installations in Pasta (Post) Island and on Jānis Čakste Boulevard, such as the ice bar, interactive photo sculptures, and ice attractions and games at the public skating rink on Pasta (Post) Island. These objects are already prepared and are currently stored in freezers until their placement in the festival area.

It should be noted that, interpreting this year’s festival theme, sculptors from Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Poland, the Czech Republic, Mongolia, Italy, the Netherlands, Argentina, Indonesia, Germany, Iran, and Japan will bring to life theories of the universe’s origin, planetary systems, and mythical constellations. The artists will depict the human connection with space, deep philosophical thoughts, and future visions of the universe, incorporating ideas about colonized planets and possible encounters with other life forms.

This weekend, from February 7 to 9, the 26th International Ice Sculpture Festival will take place in Jelgava with a diverse program for children, dance performances, sculpture duels, fire shows, and concerts. Artists known in Latvia and Lithuania will perform: Dzelzs Vilks, Citi Zēni, GUSTAVO, SKAMP (LT), Fēlikss Ķiģelis, and the festival will conclude with performances by Intars Busulis and the Abonement Orchestra.

Specially for younger festival visitors, on February 8, three exciting puppet shows will take place: “Clowns in Space U-ta-ta!” by Tigris Events, “Paw Patrol’s New Mission” by Jogitas Pasākumi, and “Shurumburums and the Universe’s Rabbits” by Ādolfs Alunāns Jelgava Theatre. On Sunday, February 9, young viewers will enjoy: the concert show “Dunce to the Moon” by the Creative Association “Pasaku nams,” the play program “Captured on New Planets” by the Surprise Carousel, and the puppet performance “Universe Bunny” by Jelgava’s New Theatre.

We remind you that the Ice Sculpture Festival is the largest and only ice sculpture competition in the Baltic States, bringing together talented artists from around the world and offering visitors a unique opportunity to admire breathtaking ice artworks that combine creativity, craftsmanship, and light plays.

During the festival, city visitors are also encouraged to explore other tourism attractions in Jelgava. More information about tourism opportunities during the festival days can be found at www.visit.jelgava.lv.

For more information about the festival’s program and ticket sales, click HERE.

Tickets are available at all “Biļešu Paradīze” sales points and at the website bilesuparadize.lv. The International Ice Sculpture Festival in Jelgava is organized by the Jelgava city and the institution “Culture” in collaboration with the companies “Ramirent” and “Husqvarna.”

During the event, photography and filming may take place. The resulting materials will be used for event coverage and promotion on the organizer’s website and social media, as well as for publicity materials to inform the public about organized events in the public interest and to reflect budget expenditure and preserve cultural and historical heritage.