Launching Ceremony of the Main Venue of China's 8th National Public Ice and Snow Season Held in Wuhan Economic Development Zone, Hubei

On the evening of December 19, the launching ceremonies of China’s 8th National Public Ice and Snow Season with the theme of "Realizing the Winter Olympics Dreams and Sharing the Future" were held respectively in Wuhan, Enshi Prefecture, and Shennongjia Forestry District in Hubei, China. The launching ceremony of the main venue was at Wuhan Sports Center in Wuhan Economic Development Zone.

Scene of the Launching Ceremony [Photo by Li Kui]

There are three chapters in the main venue's event, namely "Building Dreams", "Pursuing Dreams" and "Realizing Dreams". Through group exhibitive performance, three chapters vividly demonstrated ice and snow sports having entered Shanhaiguan, crossed the Qinling and Huaihe River, achieved vigorous development across the country since Beijing’s successful bid for the Winter Olympics. The chapters also expressed Chinese people’s love for ice and snow sports and their eager anticipation for the Winter Olympics. The launching ceremonies of venues in Enshi Prefecture and Shennongjia Forestry District were started simultaneously through video link.

Hu Shiming, the general director of the launching ceremonies, stated that the exhibitive performance integrates the long-standing Hubei's cultural elements of Jingchu, highlights the connotation and characteristics of "Hubei links the whole country, and accentuates the masses loving ice and snow". Hu added that, with the technological aids combining sound, light and electricity elements to create a visual spectacle, the performance is a big party for ice and snow lovers across the country.

The launching ceremonies were carried out in an innovative way in three venues. The ceremony in the main venue in Wuhan was themed on "Ice", while the venues in Enshi Prefecture and Shennongjia Forestry District were themed on "Snow". By integrating local realities in the three places, three venues will also hold special events such as China Ice and Snow Sports Achievement Exhibition, ice and snow sports events, and the Ice and Snow Carnival throughout the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics to showcase Hubei's unique ice and snow resources and regional charm, jointly promoting the vigorous development of Hubei ice and snow sports.