The 26th China Harbin International Ice Sculpture Competition was held on Jan.6th, 2012. Mr. Andreas Krautgasser, director of Tourist Administration of San Candido, Italy, was invited as a guest to attend the opening ceremony. He admitted the scale of the Harbin Ice and Snow Festival was amazing and unique.

Andreas Krautgasser stated that San Candido also held a snow festival every year that has been running for the past 11 years. Although it is not as large as that in Harbin, it is as attractive. 鈥淥ur snow festival has its geographical advantages---we are near The Alps. It attracts many tourists to come here for skiing especially for those who cannot see snow in Europe. Delegations from nearly 10 countries come to our city to participate in the snow sculpture competition every year. Like Harbin, our snow festival attracts artists and tourists from all over the world due to the ice and snow and our unique scenery.鈥?Andreas Krautgasser told the reporter.

When referring to the cooperation between the two cities, Andreas Krautgasser said: 鈥淚鈥檓 really expecting good cooperation with Harbin in winter tourism. Last year, we began to have a try. Harbin sent a group to take part in our competition and got the first place. I have made many good friends in Harbin thanks to the two visits I've had here. I hope many people and artists from Harbin will pay a visit to San Candido, take part in the snow festival in Italy and feel a different kind of ice and snow culture.