Recently, the 17th International Collegiate Snow Sculpture Contest was held at Harbin Engineering University (HEU). Themed “United in Dreams, Building the Future Together,” the event highlighted the creativity and innovation of young students from nine countries and regions, including China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Thailand. A total of 64 meticulously crafted snow sculptures were showcased, leaving a lasting impression on the audience at HEU.

Following a thorough evaluation by the judges, three teams—Zhengzhou Academy of Fine Arts, Harbin Engineering University, and Harbin Vocational & Technical College—were awarded the Grand Prize. Twelve teams, including those from Dalian University of Technology and Saraburi Technical College (Thailand), received the First Prize. Thirteen teams, such as Beijing Institute of Technology and Khabarovsk State Pedagogical University (Russia), secured the Second Prize, while 15 teams, including Huazhong University of Science and Technology and the Brera Academy of Fine Arts (Italy), earned the Third Prize. An enthusiastic online voting campaign garnered over 30,000 votes, with seven teams, including Beihua University and Beijing Institute of Technology, winning the “Most Popular Snow Sculpture Award.” Additionally, 21 teams, including Harbin Institute of Technology and the University of Edinburgh, received Excellence Awards.

HEU President SONG Yingdong attended the closing ceremony and delivered a speech. Distinguished guests at the event included:

XU Changyong, Secretary of the Heilongjiang Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League;

GUAN Shixun, Deputy Secretary-General of the Winter Asian Games Executive Committee;

LIU Zhaoguo, Chief Inspector of the Heilongjiang Provincial Department of Education;

ZHANG Zhiguo, Executive Deputy Director of China Youth Online;

YU Zhiwen, Vice President of HEU;

LI Rongsheng, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of HEU;

TAN Jingyan, member of the Ministry of Education’s Industrial Design Teaching Steering Subcommittee and the National Aesthetic Education Steering Committee.

President SONG Yingdong emphasized that HEU has built robust and lasting partnerships with over 100 institutions across 25 countries, significantly boosting its global reputation. Since its launch in 2009, the International Collegiate Snow Sculpture Contest has attracted participation from over 200 universities worldwide. The competition has grown in both scale and influence, becoming a key feature of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival and providing a grand platform for students and faculty to showcase their artistic talents and exchange expertise in snow sculpting.

TAN Jingyan remarked that throughout the four days of intense competition, the teams displayed the harmony between humans and nature through their outstanding sculptures. These works not only celebrated traditional culture and national spirit but also conveyed a shared vision of future development driven by technological innovation. She encouraged participants to continue contributing to the global growth of ice and snow art.

Oliver Spalding, a member of the University of Edinburgh team, shared his experience as an international participant.

GAO Yingjian, a member of HEU’s team and the Ice and Snow Art Workshop, spoke on behalf of the domestic participants.

As one of the 20 major events of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, the competition has become a cornerstone of Harbin’s distinctive ice and snow culture. This year, over 30 national media outlets, including CCTV, Xinhua News Agency, People’s Daily, and China Youth Daily, provided coverage of the competition. More than 40 reports and reprints were published both domestically and internationally, highlighting the competition’s exceptional appeal and offering diverse perspectives through high-quality journalism.

The competition has evolved into a globally recognized cultural exchange platform for university students, promoting ice and snow culture. It has enabled students worldwide to exchange ideas, refine their skills, and enhance their practical abilities, making significant contributions to the global dissemination of ice and snow culture.