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Disney in ice

Marcus Lütticke / jtDecember 2, 2014

Winter in the Belgian cities of Antwerp and Liège is a time for enchanting icy attractions this year, with the Disney Ice Sculpture Festival - one of many "cool" ice events being staged across Europe this winter.

https://p.dw.com/p/1DxgA
Picture Gallery of the Disney Ice Sculpture Festival in Antwerp and Liège, Copyright: REUTERS/Yves Herman
Image: Reuters/Y. Herman

Although the daytime temperatures in Belgium are still hovering above freezing, the "Ice Palaces" of Antwerp and Liège maintain a frosty minus six degrees Celsius (21 degrees Fahrenheit) on the barometer - protected from the perils of the warmth. Along with Disney's Ice Sculpture Festival, various cities across Europe will be hosting other kinds of ice sculpting events, creating enchanting structures, magical landscapes, and an array of frozen sculptures.

Picture Gallery of the Disney Ice Sculpture Festival in Antwerp and Liège, Copyright: REUTERS/Yves Herman
Image: Reuters/Y. Herman

Thirty ice sculptors from 12 countries have been on hand in Belgium to recreate characters from the cartoon world, crafting a violet and blue fairytale landscape of ice and snow. Over 50 tons of winter building material was needed to create the sculptures, ranging between two and six meters (roughly six to 20 feet) in height. Fans can enjoy their favorite Disney characters such as Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland until January 11, 2015 - before the "Ice Palaces" are dismantled and the frozen fairytale world melts away.

Picture Gallery of the Disney Ice Sculpture Festival in Antwerp and Liège, Copyright: REUTERS/Yves Herman
Image: Ice sculpture Festival Antwerp-Liege

No entry! The ice castle can only be viewed from outside.