The Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival was established on January 5th, 1985, becoming world-class celebration of ice and snow. The Ice and Snow Festival is the （long） ice and snow festival in the world. It only has an opening ceremony, （hold） on January 5th each year, and there is no closing ceremony. （original） planned for a month, in reality, the festivities begin at the end of the previous year, continuing till the end of February, when the ice and snow activities conclude. During this period, it encompasses（包含） four significant festive events: New Year, Spring Festival （Chinese New Year）, Lantern Festival （Yuanxiao Festival）, and a skiing festival.
Initially, the festival （regard） as a way to attract tourists and showcase the unique winter beauty and cultural （rich） of Harbin, a city in northeastern China. It has since grown into one of the world's most famous winter festivals, （draw） millions of visitors from around the globe. Over the years, the festival （become） a significant driver of tourism in the region.
The festival serves as a platform for cultural exchange and collaboration. International and local artists come together （create） beautiful ice and snow sculptures, and the event often features performances, exhibitions, and activities that showcase various cultural traditions. It provides an opportunity people from different backgrounds, in which they can learn about and appreciate each other's cultures.
