14.11.2025In January 2026 Krasnoyarsk will host the X Open Festival-Competition of Snow and Ice Sculptures “Magic Ice of Siberia”. Russian teams, as well as sculptors from China, Belarus, Mongolia, and, for the first time in the Festival's history, South Korea will compete for the title of best.
One of the important stages of the competition is the selection of teams based on the sketches of their future works. A special commission headed by the President of the Krasnoyarsk City Public Fund "Decorative And Fine Siberian Arts" (official Partner of the Festival), professional snow and ice sculptor and multiple-time winner of international competitions Alexander Zaitsev has reviewed almost 80 sculpture composition designs.
The Youth Ice Sculpture Competition received 25 sketches from students of art schools and colleges across Russia. The top 10 were selected. For the first time, teams from Khabarovsk, Tyva, and Kostroma will participate in the Youth Competition.
The Professional Competition's participants will compete in creating both snow and ice sculptures. The commission selected the top 10 sketches in the "Snow' category and 20 in the "Ice" category (which includes the Realism and Abstraction sub-categories). The cause of the division of the "Ice" category into two sub-categories (for the first time in the Festival's history) is the celebration of the anniversaries of two Krasnoyarsk artists: painter Valerian Sergin, who will celebrate his 90th birthday in 2026, and Andrey Pozdeev, who would have turned 100.
When selecting the works, we assessed originality, artistic value, the sculpture's correspondence to the urban space, and its practical implementation, including the durability and appeal of the sculptures. Our competition brings together the representatives of different nationalities and countries. The artists exchange ideas and experiences, and engage in cultural dialogue through the creation of absolutely unique sculptures.
Alexander Zaitsev, President of the Krasnoyarsk City Public Fund "Decorative And Fine Siberian Arts", snow and ice sculptor, multiple-time winner of international competitions
Over the years, the Festival has gained many good friends among professional snow and ice sculptors. For example, the "Kestik" team from Tyva will be participating for the tenth time, presenting their masterpiece in the "Ice" category. The artists have never missed a single Krasnoyarsk competition and have won multiple times – their team is considered to be one of the strongest. Another team, "Muusuus Ice" from Yakutia, will present their work "Permafrost Talisman" – these professionals will also be attending for the tenth time.
The Festival, of course, will also welcome its new friends - for example, the Korean Team from South Korea will compete in Krasnoyarsk for the first time.
The Festival is also known for "upbringing" the new generation of snow and ice sculptors. The ArchPro team, which includes Krasnoyarsk and St. Petersburg artists, will compete in the "Snow" category. The team has grown from participation in the Youth Competition to the Professional one.
The anniversary Festival will be held at two different venues. Snow masterpieces will be displayed, for the first time, on Theater Square and the audience will have the opportunity to view the sculptures from all sides. The ice compositions will be traditionally located on the lower and upper tiers of the Central Embankment.
The Festival-Competition will run from January 6th to 17th.
This year, the teams had a free choice of the theme for their sculptures.
Competition dates:
Family and Children Competitions - January 7th.
Youth Competition - January 6th to 11th.
Professional Competition - January 12th to 17th.
