In Vienna, the ice-rink by the Stadtpark is filled with whirling skaters, and the duck pond with the Moore sculpture in front of the Karlskirche is glazed with ice for children to skate on. On the ring by the Rathaus, a miniature village is created among the towering trees with an outdoor rink where annually Freilicht Exhibitions of ice-skating and ice-dancing are performed by the new brood of competitive skaters.
In Prague, the Christmas Market assembles in the Old Town Square with a miniature ice-rink and pony rides to entertain the children. A miniature train whooshes in circles and the tourists congregate to watch the parade of saints on the great Astronomical Clock near the Tyn Church where Catholics and Protestants battled to dominate the religious front. Tourists throng the crowded narrow streets, arriving to enjoy the busy shopping season. It's Christmas. The Ice Castle surrounding the ice-rink is slowly melting, although scarcely a week old.
The story of the Snow Queen is a traditional favorite for the winter season, with the Snow Festivals that are celebrated across Europe. The largest Ice Castle is in Kemi, Finland-in Lapland where Gerda is abducted by the Robber Girl, and finally continues on the last leg of her journey with the reindeer to the icy, frozen north.
Snow Castle in Lapland, Finland http://www.ubc.net/bulletin/bulletin1_00...
Kemi, Finland with the largest Snow Castle in the world http://www.kemi.fi/english/index.html
The largest annual Snow Castle, built in Kemi, Finland. 17 metres high with walls 1100 metres long. Area 13 500 m2. The castle includes restaurants and a chapel attracts over 270 000 visitors. Weddings and parties are conducted in it.
Ulrike Elanor's Snow Church http://www.niksula.cs.hut.fi/%7Emnikkane... Helsinki Finland, est 1997
Around the world, the winter festivities begin with winter sports championships. Among the most unforgettable ice-skaters are Toller Cranston and Roselyn Sumners.
Toller Cranston and Witt
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