Animals, people, even buildings are turned into intricate sculptures

Відомий крижаний фестиваль у Китаї став останньою жертвою глобального потепління. Десятки тисяч людей приїздять до Харбіну щозими, аби побачити крижані скульптури. Однак через підвищення температури скульптури почали танути. Повідомляє Майкл Бристоу:

Послухати репортаж

Harbin is one of China's coldest cities. In winter, temperatures can drop as low as minus 35 degrees centigrade. Despite this harsh climate, the city has turned itself into a popular winter tourist destination. Visitors arrive from across Asia to experience the cold - and see the city's ice sculptures. Animals, people, even famous buildings are turned into intricate sculptures that are lit up at night.

But, there's a problem - winters just aren't as cold as they used to be. Last year, Harbin had its warmest year since records began. And that means the city's famous ice sculptures are melting earlier.

The ice festival traditionally lasts until the end of February. But this year, there are fears the ice will have melted long before then. And this is not just a worry for environmentalists. Harbin's ice festival is the city's biggest source of income. If the ice goes, so do the tourists.

Michael Bristow, BBC News, Beijing

Послухати слова

temperatures can drop as low as
температура може знижуватися до

harsh
суворий, дуже холодний

has turned itself into
перетворився на

tourist destination
популярне серед туристів місце

ice sculptures
крижані скульптури

intricate sculptures
витончені, філігранно виконані скульптури

since records began
відколи ведуться спостереження

melting
тануть

environmentalists
охоронці довкілля

income
прибуток, надходження фондів