In pictures: German ice carving

• poon cho tang

  9 Dec 05, 21:16

  
  
  The Ice Age has returned to Luebeck in Germany with the start of the International Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival.
• poon cho tang

  9 Dec 05, 21:16

  
  
  Around 45 artists have used chainsaws, chisels and blow-torches to carve a menagerie of ice creatures.
• poon cho tang

  9 Dec 05, 21:17

  
  
  Netherlands sculptor Gideon Adema used a gas burner to put a shine on his tiger sculpture.
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  9 Dec 05, 21:17

  
  
  Organisers say the compressed snow that the artists work with has no chemicals added and is "fairly natural".
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  9 Dec 05, 21:18

  
  
  All in all, around 350,000 kilos of ice and 150,000 kilos of snow will be processed for the festival.
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  9 Dec 05, 21:19

  
  
  This year's theme is the Kingdom of Animals - including giant ice spiders and insects.
• poon cho tang

  9 Dec 05, 21:19

  
  
  Russia's Michail Fedotov is among sculptors from around the world taking part in the festival.
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  9 Dec 05, 21:20

  
  
  Ice World, which opens on Friday, is based in old harbour area of the town in northern Germany and runs until 29 January.