The flame for the 2025 Asian Winter Games was ignited at the picturesque Sun Island Park in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Monday. The ceremony coincided with the \"Major Cold\" (Dahan) day, the last of the 24 solar terms in the Chinese lunar calendar.
Choosing this special day wasn't by chance. Major Cold signifies the end of a cycle and the start of a new year, symbolizing fresh beginnings and transitions—perfect for lighting a flame that represents unity and the spirit of friendly competition.
\"On Major Cold Day, using the waters of the Songhua River and sunlight, we ignited the flame for the Harbin Asian Winter Games,\" shared Tong Xiaoyu, Deputy Director of the Torch Relay Operations Office. \"This flame embodies our passion for winter sports and honors the friendships among athletes from across Asia. Harbin will be a place where we compete and cooperate in the pursuit of excellence.\"
The flame, a key icon of events like the Olympics, stands for light, unity, friendship, peace, and justice. Holding the lighting ceremony at Sun Island Park emphasizes the harmony between humanity and nature—a theme that vibes with many young people today. 🌱
\"Sun Island resonates with the 'Sun' symbol we aim to feature in the Asian Winter Games,\" said Wang Zheng, Chief Director of the Flame Lighting Ceremony. \"The Harbin Sun Island Snow Fair is the birthplace of snow sculpture art in China. With the 37th Harbin Sun Island International Snow Sculpture Art Fair underway, you can see a giant snowman watching over us! ☃️ We wanted to blend the flame lighting with the natural landscape to showcase Harbin's stunning scenery and rich cultural customs.\"
As the giant snowman stood tall beside the ceremony, the flame ignited not just the torch but also the excitement and anticipation for the upcoming games. Athletes and fans alike can look forward to a winter celebration that combines sport, culture, and the beauty of nature.
Get ready to embrace the chill and the thrill at Harbin 2025! ❄️🔥
Reference(s):
Harbin 2025 organizers talk flame lighting ceremony timing, location
cgtn.com
