The 35th International Snow Sculpture Contest

14 teams, from various regions of the world, have participated in this year’s contest. The contest site filled with a variety of snow statues has created a remarkable international atmosphere. The participants and the public have enjoyed positive cultural exchanges and have developed new friendships. Here is the result of the championship: The winning team is Thailand.

Winner	Runner-up
Thailand Team FAMILY(Father And Mother, I Love You)	Hong Kong Team Lion in Motion

Result	Name of Team	Name of Snow Statue
Third Prize	Japan	Ishikawa Goemon
Fourth Prize	Sweden	Lighten some burden
Fifth Prize	People’s Republic of China	Adoration for the Future

Participating　Team

Outline of the Contest to be Held

1. Period
   February 2 (Sat.) to 7 (Thu.) 2008
2. Contest Site
   "International Square" at the Sapporo Snow Festival Odori site (Nishi 11-chome, Odori)
3. Team Composition
   

   (1) A team shall represent a country or other self-governing territories. However, teams permitted to participate as an exception by the Sapporo Snow Festival Executive Committee need not comply with this qualification.

   (2) A team must be approved by its embassy or a public organization of similar standing. An individual cannot be permitted to participate.

   (3) A team shall consist of 3 persons, including 1 leader and 2 members, regardless of age and sex, Japanese members are not permitted to work with non-Japanese teams.

4. Number of Participating Teams
   The number of participating teams shall be up to 20.
5. Request for Participating Teams
   The Executive Committee will take teams' qualification, composition and number of teams into consideration, determine the teams to request their participation, and then send them invitations.
6. Statue Title, Inscription, and Sketch
   

   (1) Each team shall submit the title, inscription, and sketch of its stature to the Executive Committee for approval before the contest.

   (2) Themes and inscriptions with excessively political or religious connotations are subject to discussion by the Executive Committee and may result in modification.

7. Rules for the Production of Snow Statues
   

   (1) A Snow Block
   A snow block with dimensions of 3m(H)×3m(W)×3m(D) will be made available by the Executive Committee.

   (2) Supports
   1. Placement of supports inside the snow block provided by the committee will not be allowed.

   2. To ensure the security of statues built, materials such as lumber and steel made available by the committee may be used only for reinforcement purpose.

   (3) Finishing Snow Statues
   1. The final statue facing shall be done with snow.

   2. Use of paint and other coloring materials, and lighting equipment will not be allowed.

   (4) Work Hours
   Feb. 3(Sun.) 10 a.m~9 p.m.
   Feb. 4 (Mon.) 9 a.m~9 p.m.
   Feb. 5 (Tue.) 9 a.m~9 p.m.
   Feb. 6 (Wed.) 9 a.m~9 p.m.

   (5) Tools
   Each team will be provided with the following tools:

   4 shovels, 2 buckets, 4 pairs of rubber gloves, 8 pairs of work gloves, 2 chisels (1 long, 1 short), 1 ax, 1 hatchet, 1 ladder, 1 snow dump, and 1 scaffold.

   Other basic materials such as lumber, wire and nails will be provided by the Executive Committee. However, sophisticated special tools for craft use are the responsibility of each team. No electric tools or lighting equipment will be allowed.

   (6) Prohibitions
   1. No assistance by non-registered members will be allowed.

   2. A change in registered members is not possible except in circumstances beyond their control. However, a change would be possible if leaders agree at the leaders meeting.

8. Leaders Meeting
   The leaders meeting shall be established and composed of the leaders of participating teams and the Sapporo Snow Festival Executive members. The meeting shall handle complaints through consultation.
9. Judgment
   To make a fair and strict judgment, judges shall consist of representatives of the citizens who are appointed by the Executive Committee. The judging system will be announced separately.
10. Awarding
    Awarding ceremony will be held on February 7 (Thu).
    In their honor, the winning team will be given the championship flag at the awarding ceremony.
11. Expenses
    The Executive Committee shall bear all the expenses of accommodation (1 twin and 1 single) for 3 participants for the period between the team's arrival in and departure from Sapporo, February 2nd(Sat.) to 8th (Fri.), 2008 and an allowance of \20,000 shall be given to each team. However, if any participant does not stay at the hotel designated by the Executive Committee, the accommodation fee shall be born by the participant him-/herself.
    
12. Designated Hotel
    Hokkaido Kosei Nenkin Kaikan
    (Nishi 12, Kita 1, Chuo-ku, Sapporo)
    TEL: 81-11-231-9551