Moscow Participates in the 40th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival

From January 3 to 7, 2024, at the invitation of the Harbin Municipal People’s Government, a delegation from the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow visited Harbin. The visit aimed at implementing the Cooperation Program signed in February 2023 and to follow up on agreements reached between Harbin Mayor Zhang Qixiang and Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin during their meeting in Moscow in July 2023.

In December 2023–January 2024, Moscow sent a team of ice and snow sculptors to participate in the world-renowned international ice sculpture competition. The artists created two acclaimed works: the ice sculpture “Moscow Always Online” and the snow sculpture “The Encounter,” which captivated thousands of festival visitors. These masterpieces were crafted by renowned sculptors Evgeny Petishev, Alexey Kuvshinov, Sergey Generalov, and Evgeny Savchenko. The sculptures were recognized as the festival’s best, showcasing Moscow’s exceptional craftsmanship.

Moscow also claimed first prize in the ice sculpture competition with “Morning Fishing,” a depiction of a heron—one of China’s most symbolic birds—created by a team from Troitsk, Moscow’s science city.

During the visit, the Harbin Municipal People’s Government arranged for partner-city delegations to tour the Ice and Snow Park, allowing them to admire Moscow’s award-winning works alongside other competitors’ sculptures and the festival’s grand ice installations.

Vyacheslav Manuilov, Deputy Head of the Department for External Economic and International Relations of Moscow, met with Mr. Cao Ru, Director of Harbin’s Foreign Affairs Office. They discussed plans for “Moscow Days in Harbin” in late February 2024, with Harbin expressing full support for the event.

Mr. Cao Ru proposed reciprocal “Harbin Days in Moscow” for summer 2024, along with educational exchanges involving Harbin school internships for Moscow students, a documentary film “Russian Harbin” featuring descendants of Harbin emigrants, and the participation of Harbin sculptors in Moscow’s “Journey to Christmas” festival in late 2024.

On January 6, a business conference was held in Harbin’s New District, where Moscow’s delegation shared urban development achievements, economic growth strategies, and innovations—particularly in special economic zones, foreign trade, and modern logistics. This exchange strengthened bilateral ties and identified new collaborative opportunities.

The delegation also met with Harbin Mayor Zhang Qixiang to discuss urban infrastructure, quality-of-life improvements, and joint cultural projects. The talks emphasized economic cooperation and cultural exchange as key pillars of the cities’ partnership.

The business forum served as a platform for exploring economic collaboration, including healthcare and education initiatives. The visit underscored the importance of deepening Moscow-Harbin relations through joint projects and sustained dialogue.