Possessing few ancient historic relics like Nara, Hiraizumi and
Kyoto, Sapporo has wide streets, mostly modern architecture and lots of
parks, gardens and scattered green belts.
But it's mid-winter, when the greens
shed their colour and up to 6m of snow tumbles down, that Sapporo really
shines, attracting two million visitors to the glittering Sapporo Snow
Festival.
What began as a game in 1950 when
local high school kids built six snow statues in downtown Odori Park has
grown into one of the world's most dazzling
winter celebrations, with displays of sculpture and architecture in snow and
ice created by competing sculptors from more than 20 countries.
For seven days, beginning on February
6, hundreds of beautifully crafted pieces, from small statues to elaborate life-size palaces, will adorn the main venue, Odori Park,
the nearby Susukino district and the grounds of Tsudome, a family-oriented
site a short bus ride away with snow slides, snow rafting and snow golf.
The displays are augmented by several concerts and
cultural events and by night the sculptures are artistically illuminated,
adding to the fantasy wonderland atmosphere.
Suitably rugged-up locals and visitors
stroll around the exhibits building snowmen, sipping hot cherry beer and
visiting the shops, restaurants and bars dotted around the park and in the adjacent nightlife quarter
Susukino.
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VOCABULARY
1. Isle (noun) - a word for an
island, used in poetry or in names of islands
Example: the pacific
isle
2. Relics
(noun) - an old object or custom that reminds people of the past or that has
lived on from a past time
Example: relics
of ancient China
3. Dazzling(adj.)
- very
impressive and attractive
Example: a dazzling display of football skills
4. Elaborate (adj.) - carefully planned and organized in great detail
Example: a very elaborate
telecommunications network
5. Adorn (verb)
- to
decorate something
Example: church walls adorned with religious
paintings
6. Augmented
(verb) - to add something to (something) in order to improve or complete it
Example: Job
training will augment [supplement] the class work.
7. Adjacent
(adj.) – next to; close or near;
Example: We stayed in adjacent rooms.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
1. Have you ever been
to Sapporo Snow Festival? Share your Snow Festival experience.
2. What activities do
you do in winter?
3. Tell us some
festivals in your country.
4. What is the
importance of festivals?
