The ceremonial opening of Zimniada 2009 this year will be held not by the Angara icebreaker, but in the square by the Trud Sports Palace. On February 25, guests will have six events, speed skating competitions, a hockey match, a sled dog team exhibition, and a festive ceremony with dances, music, fireworks, and the lighting of the festival symbolic flame.
The solemn opening of the "Zimniada-2009" festival this year will take place not in the usual place for Irkutsk residents - near the icebreaker "Angara" in the "Solynechny" microdistrict, but in the square by the "Trud" Sports Palace.The organizing committee is now finishing work on the festival program. On the opening day, February 25, six events are planned. Among them are speed skating competitions, a hockey match, an exhibition of sled dog teams, and the festival opening ceremony on the grounds in front of the "Trud" stadium; a stage made of three platforms will be set up in the square.
The decorations and costumes of the ceremony participants will be in the color palette of the Russian tricolor Stage decorations and costumes of the ceremony participants will be in the palette of the Russian tricolor, since this celebration is timed to Defender of the Fatherland Day. Spectators can expect dance and musical performances, the stage will be decorated with fireworks, and at the festival opening it is planned to light the symbolic "Zimniada" flame. The event will begin at half past five in the evening.