The artists have been inspired by the simple but yet elegant 12th century architecture. This year’s Ice church is therefore almost a copy of the small churches that were common during the Middle Ages in Sweden. It will hold about 50 visitors and offer a contemplative atmosphere with room for reflection.
– We have tried to be true to the amazingly beautiful and peaceful atmosphere that are to be found in this type of churches, says Anders Rönnlund.
Ice sculptures
The Ice church has six rows of benches on either side made of ice and the seats are covered with reindeer skins. Visitors are met by various ice sculptures, created by the artist Johan Fremling. For example there will be a sculpture of the Virgin Mary in ice, next to the altar. A “Fattiggubbe” – an alms box made in ice where you can donate to the Swedish church fundraising for the world – is placed by the entrance and a church boat made of ice is integrated into the wall. In the altar piece you will find the twelve apostles, in ice. A chandelier of iron, hanging in the ceiling, is the only thing that is not made of ice or snow.
– It is heavy and powerful, and creates a contrast against the white snow and the crystal clear ice, Anders Rönnlund explains.
Integrated with ICEHOTEL
The Ice church is for the first time integrated with ICEHOTEL, the world’s largest hotel of snow and ice, 200 km north of the Arctic Circle. ICEHOTEL has 50 000 visitors every season of which 70 percent comes from abroad. Since 1994, more than 1 000 weddings have taken place here, next to Torne River in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden. About 25 children are also baptized in the Ice church each season. Construction of the Ice church has gone extremely well, thanks to the very good conditions during November and December.
For more information, please contact:
Victoria Skeidsvoll
Press Officer
ICEHOTEL®
victoria@icehotel.com
+46 980 680 40
Anders Rönnlund
http://www.roennlund.se
anders@roennlund.se
+46 70 77 20 777