Categories: Space Exploration

Vyugovey – The Real “Ice In Space”

Ain’t no doubt about it… Space is cool! And this year Russian space exploration is not only cool – but ice cold. This year’s International Festival of Snow, Ice and Light sculptures “Vyugovey” will take place in Moscow from December 25 to February 28 in the Memorial Museum of Space Exploration {ark on Prospekt Mira, and is devoted to the 50th anniversary of Russian space exploration.

The contest was part of the Ice Sculpture Festival “in memory of Russian space exploration.” About 100 pieces of space-related sculptures were presented by local artists. Some 11 sculptors from countries and regions including Russia, Mexico, Japan and Bulgaria took part in the four-day event started on Monday. Moscow’s freezing temperature provided ideal conditions for their ice-made artwork. Sergey Korolkov from Russia’s Ural Autonomous Okrug of Yamalo-Nenets won the first prize with his work “Goddesses of Sun and Moon,” which he said was inspired by the ancient myth of goddesses saving the world. But carving this cool piece of work wasn’t easy. The champion said he had worked three days from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. to finish the piece!

Festival visitors can see sculptures up to five meters tall, among them the legendary rockets Soyz and Vostok. There are also the heroes of “Star Wars “and fantastic galaxies. At night the composition turns more colorful, as different lights create a special space atmosphere. Check out the video coverage:

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Now, let’s take a look at the beauty…

Visitors can trace the development of Russian space exploration, and see the legendary spaceships “Vostok” and “Soyuz”, which are more than 5 meters high

Famous astronauts in ice

Visitors will also have the opportunity to see the exotic worlds and characters from Star Wars

Award winning Russian ice-sculptors are included in the festival

The festival’s unique light shows help visitors experience the cosmos

Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man to travel to space.

How “cool” is that?!

Video courtesy of RIA Novosti / Petr Chernov, STR, and still photos by RIA Novosti and Valery Melnikov.

Tammy Plotner

Tammy was a professional astronomy author, President Emeritus of Warren Rupp Observatory and retired Astronomical League Executive Secretary. She’s received a vast number of astronomy achievement and observing awards, including the Great Lakes Astronomy Achievement Award, RG Wright Service Award and the first woman astronomer to achieve Comet Hunter's Gold Status. (Tammy passed away in early 2015... she will be missed)