20 ice sculptures 20 ice sculptures in Kirov Square for the Olympic torch relay

In Irkutsk, an unusual setup is being prepared for the Olympic torch relay, 20 ice sculptures of winter sports athletes will decorate Kirov Square, and the torchbearers route in the city will resemble a heart. Organizers also promise historical decorations at the station and special banners, but residents should plan trips in advance, on November 24 traffic in the city will be difficult, and access to the station and the airport area will be closed for several hours.

Only in Irkutsk will the Olympic Torch Relay be greeted by 20 ice sculptures depicting athletes from winter Olympic sports. The ice for the sculptures was prepared last year, and all this time it was stored in the cold warehouse of one of Irkutsk’s enterprises. Over the course of several months, sculptures were made from it, which will decorate Kirov Square on November 24. The ice sculptures will be installed at the last moment so that they do not melt because of the temperature, which is warm for an Irkutsk November.
Irkutsk turned out to be one of the few cities in the Olympic Torch Relay that proposed its own design concept — “The Olympic Flame in the Heart of Irkutsk.” The route of the torchbearers on the city map really resembles a heart. Therefore, in addition to the standard Olympic symbolism, in our city residents see banners specially prepared for Irkutsk.

The railway station, where the Olympic Torch Relay will begin, will not be closed to trains during the event. While the organizers and 40 actors and students dressed in 19th-century clothing will greet guests, the station will send and receive trains as usual. The decoration of the historic railway station building with 19th-century decor will begin a day before the arrival of the Olympic Torch Relay — on November 23, and on Friday there will be a dress rehearsal of the welcome in costume.

If you are leaving somewhere on the morning of November 24, it is better to set out in advance — the road access to the station building will be closed until 11 a.m., and in the airport area — until about 1 p.m. Traffic around the city will be difficult, so before leaving home you need to think through detour routes: for residents of the Sverdlovsky District — starting at 9 a.m. in the first half of the day, for residents of the Oktyabrsky and Pravoberezhny Districts — in the second half of the day.