The flame for the 2025 Asian Winter Games was ignited at Sun Island Park in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, on Monday. This event coincided with the conclusion of the 24 solar terms in China's Lunar Calendar, marking the Major Cold period.
Choosing this special day underscores the transition between two distinct 12-month cycles and heralds an upcoming seasonal change, making it an ideal symbolic setting for the flame lighting ceremony.
\"On Major Cold Day, using the water of the Songhua River and sunlight, together we created the light of the Harbin Asian Winter Games,\" said Tong Xiaoyu, Deputy Director of the Torch Relay Operations Office. \"The flame expresses enthusiasm for winter sports and honors friendships among athletes from Asia, as they gather in Harbin to compete and cooperate in the pursuit of excellence and the development of the spirit of sports.\"
As a significant emblem in events like the Olympics, the flame represents light, unity, friendship, peace, and justice. The chosen location emphasizes the harmony between humanity and nature.
\"Sun Island embodies the 'Sun' symbol central to the Asian Winter Games,\" stated Wang Zheng, Chief Director of the Flame Lighting Ceremony. \"The Harbin Sun Island Snow Fair, the birthplace of snow sculpture art in China, is the largest and most artistically prestigious snow sculpture event in the country. With the ongoing 37th Harbin Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Fair, featuring a giant snowman, we aim to blend the lighting ceremony with the natural landscape, highlighting Harbin's scenic beauty and cultural traditions.\"
Reference(s):
Harbin 2025 organizers talk flame lighting ceremony timing, location
cgtn.com
