This year’s Poznań Bethlehem began with a festive lighting of the city Christmas tree by the Mayor of Poznań Ryszard Grobleny in an innovative way… through the mobile phone. The wireless system of intelligent installations called FIBARO allows for control of all the electric equipment, both in the building and on the premises, through the mobile phone.

As every year, the main attraction of the event was the International Ice Art Festival, which for the sixth time attracts the best ice sculptors from all over the world to Poznań. During the weekend of December 10-11 on the Old Market Square you could see live the process of creation of the unique sculptures. On the First day of the Festival we admired the “Speed Ice Carving” that is the most spectacular competition in which the rival sculptors had a few dozen minutes to recreate the competitive design. On the Second day the Main Competition took place, during which we saw 12 two-person teams and over a dozen tonnes of ice, from which several-meter high sculptures were created. In view of the forthcoming UEFA EURO 2012 ™ projects referring to the theme of football, were rewarded with additional points. The sculptures were to adorn the Old Market Square up to Christmas, but unfortunately, exceptionally high for this time of the year temperatures spoiled those plans.

The program of Poznań Bethlehem includes a number of attractions, i.a. animations and workshops for children, Christmas concerts, artistic performances by children and youth, theatre spectacles. For the first time in the history of the Bethlehem and the Festival, an ice playground for children was created on the Old Market Square.

There will also be a photographic competition, the subject of which will be the VI International Ice Art Festival (more details on www.fotoportal.poznan.pl).

The artistic part of XII Poznań Bethlehem will be concluded, as each year, with the passing of the Bethlehem Light of Peace by the Mayor of Poznań on Sunday December 18^th, after Mass, at about 5.15 p.m. This extraordinary meeting in the Old Square Market will be ended by the Christmas Blessing, which will be granted by the Suffragan Bishop of Poznań Archdiocese accompanied by Caritas from Poznań Archdiocese.  This year, under the motto “We will give time to children” you will be able to buy the Wigilijne Dzieło Pomocy Dzieciom Caritas candles.