After its raucous move to freeze fish in an ice rink, this time, Japan had made it clear to continue freezing different fish and aquatic animals as a tradition in celebrating the Sapporo Snow Festival. Animal rights activists thought that the tradition would stop after the fiasco at SpaceWorld, but the organizers of the festival pushed through amidst the clamor.
In a report made by Travel and Leisure, Chairman of the Susukino Tourist Association Seiichi Shinoda said, "The displays are art, and we would like to continue producing them in the future." The festival started almost seven decades and only introduced the fish-freezing sculptures 33 years ago.
Current freeze sculptures measure one meter long, 54 centimeters wide and 27 centimeters deep. There are nine blocks of ice which also features snow crab and salmon in the display.
The installed art will be on display up to February 12 with giant ice sculptures from pop cultures like Star Wars and Final Fantasy VII. While those are seen harmless, many people were frantic about Sapporo's continuance of freezing fishes in sculptures.
Tokyo Report interviewed one member of the Sapporo organizers who said through the years they have never received ire or complaints about their sculptures. "In the end, the frozen fish display is for viewing, and it's different from a skating rink where fish are basically being trampled on. The criticism that this is cruel is off here, and it might even be an over-reaction."
Meanwhile, the chairman of the festival was quoted saying that though tradition is important, the times are changing and how people see things before are different as of now, and they should listen to them.
Some citizens took to Twitter to express their dismays and call to stop the tradition, but the organizers of the festival stood by their decision of continuing their sculptures.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
