Thailand wins first prize at 36th International Snow Sculpture Contest

The 60th Sapporo Snow Festival was held from February 5 to 11, and the 36th International Snow Sculpture Contest was held from February 3 – 8, 2009. Out of the twelve international teams representing various regions of the world participating in the 36th International Snow Sculpture Contest, the Thai team was announced the winner in the contest for a second consecutive year.

The Kingdom of Thailand was represented by representatives from three leading hotels — Mr Kusol Bunkobsongserm of The Shangri-la Hotel, Bangkok, Mr Rerkchai Kaewchinda of the Conrad Bangkok and Mr Kritsana Wongtes of The Peninsula Bangkok. The Tourism Authority of Thailand sponsors Thailand's participation in the annual Sapporo SnowFestival/International Snow Sculpture Contest.

GARUDA AND NAGA Image © Sapporo Snow Festival	The Thai snow statue named “Garuda and Naga” was carved out of a block of snow measuring 3-metres in height by 3-metres in width and 3-metres in depth. Both the Garuda and the Naga are mythical creatures featured prominently in Thai and Hindu art and folklore. The Garuda (half-man, half-bird) symbolizes eternal power while the legendary Naga — the King of the Serpents – represents wealth and abundance. The Thai kingdom is a ‘land of plenty’ with a great variety of crops grown and harvested all year round. Blessed with fertile agricultural land, this ensures the well-being of the Thai nation and contributes to Thailand’s agricultural and economic prosperity. The Garuda and the Naga, brought together, represents Thailand’s wealth in both its artistic and cultural heritage as well as agricultural abundance.
FAMILY (Father And Mother, I Love You) Image © Sapporo Snow Festival	Last year, the Thai entry “Family – Father And Mother, I Love You”, depicting a family of elephants was also winner of the top prize. According to the participating Thai team, no love is greater than the love that parents have for their offspring. ‘Family – Father And Mother, I Love You’ reflects this unconditional love. The elephant is also the national symbol of the Kingdom of Thailand.
Sumo wrestling and Muay Thai (Thai boxing)	In 2007, the Thai entry depicting “120th Anniversary of Japan-Thailand Diplomatic Relations 2007” won second prize in the 34th International Snow Sculpture Contest. To mark the special occasion of the 120th anniversary of Japanese-Thai diplomatic relations on 26 September 2007, the very day on which Japan and Siam signed the Declaration of Amity and Commerce in 1887, the Thai team chose to depict two friends, a Thai boy dressed in traditional Thai boxing attire holding hands with a Japanese friend dressed in traditional Sumo attire, as the theme for their ice sculpture. Sumo wrestling and Muay Thai (Thai boxing) are the national sports of the respective countries. The ice sculpture reflects the wishes of the two nations to promote on-going exchange and friendship.

In all, Thailand has won the first prize in the Sapporo Snow Festival International Snow Sculpture Contest five times.

The Sapporo Snow Festival receives extensive media coverage with live broadcasts of the event presented by Japan’s leading national and local broadcast media, such as NHK and Hokkaido Broadcasting (HBC). Highlights of the event, including the announcement of the winners of the 36th International Snow Sculpture Contest, were also prominently featured in print media. Interviews with members of the Thai team and news reports presented in broadcast as well as print media generate significant PR mileage for Thailand and helps raise awareness of the Thai kingdom. It also promotes a better appreciation of Thai culture and Thai ways.

In the 2009 snow sculpture contest, “Glove”, the snow statue by the Lithuanian team and winner of the second prize, depicted the origin fairy-tale about how the mouse found the glove and decided to share nice dwelling with other habitants of the woods. “Dancing Dragon”, the entry by the team from Hong Kong and winner of the third prize, features the dragon, a mythological creature that symbolizes luck, nobility and power and is revered in Chinese culture. It is also believed to bring good luck and fortune for the people associated with the dance. Through their snow sculpture named “A Kiss In Depth”, the team from Finland, winner of the fourth prize reminds us that below the surface of the sea, there exists a whole new world; two fish find each other. The winner of the fifth prize — “Tomorrow’s Dream” — by the Korean team depicted a child riding on the back of a cow. A work of art that conveys a message of hope — to help our growing children to dream about a promising future by finding the wisdom of mankind from books and try to work diligently like a Korean cow in order to overcome the current financial slowdown of the world.

The first Sapporo Snow Festival was held in 1950, when local high school students built six snow statues in Odori Park. In 1955, the Self-Defence Force joined in and built the first massive snow sculptures, for which the Snow Festival is now known. From these humble beginnings that attracted a modest 50,000 local visitors, the festival has evolved into a major international event. The best known of Hokkaido's winter events, it now attracts some two million visitors and participants far beyond the native town and neighbouring areas.

Recognizing this tremendous opportunity to raise the international visibility and awareness of Thailand, promote Thai culture to Japanese and international audiences as well as to generate interest in travel to Thailand, TAT’s Tokyo office has consistently supported the Sapporo Snow Festival and the International Snow Sculpture Contest over the past ten years.

Contact information:
TAT Tokyo
Yurakucho Denki Bldg, South Tower
2Fl., Room No.259, 1-7-1 Yurakucho
Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0006, JAPAN
Tel: (81 3) 3218 1077
Fax: (81 3)3218 0655
E-mail: tattky@tattky.com, tattky@tat.or.th
Web site: www.thailandtravel.or.jp