“This is my fourth time participating in Harbin’s International Ice Sculpture Competition. My work of this year is called ‘Margarita- after Velazquez’”. Seventy-Seven-year-old American woman, Tatyana Schremko was talking with reporters and was shoveling ice. Splashing ice crystals quickly covered her eyebrows, however it didn’t influence her concentration on her sculpture. Every action is strong, even stronger than the young.

On January 6th, The 25th Harbin International Ice Sculpture Competition was held in Harbin’s Zhaolin Park. There were over 70 competitors from 16 countries participating in this year’s competition. Many of them have participated in this competition for many years continuously. Seventy-Seven-year-old American lady Tatyana Schremko is one of them.

“I have unique feelings for Harbin, where half of me is home,” Tatyana’s eyes were shining and she said excitedly, she was born in Harbin in 1934 and in 1950 moved to Washington DC with her parents, the capital of America, until now. “I have not let go of my feelings for Harbin, I like the cold; I like the ice and snow; I like everything here, it’s just like being home.”

Tatyana told reporters that she been taking part in Harbin’s International Ice Sculpture Competition since 2008. This year she took her daughter, Alexa, a university student to let her experience the unique ice and snow culture of Harbin.

Tatyana said “I really love the ice and snow, it’s incredibly charming. It’s invigorating for me to see the competitors who participate in this competition every year. The competition provides a good communication platform for us. As for the competition itself, I may not be the champion but I’ll try my best to do it well, because I like ice sculptures and ice and snow art. In front of the ice, I feel I’m still energetic just like you young people. I will definitely come again next year.