CRI听力: Wedding in Harbin's Ice and Snow

On Wednesday, 28 couples are tying the knot in a special way in the city of Harbin in China's northernmost province of Heilongjiang. Their outdoor group wedding ceremony amid the ice and snow is also a cultural activity of the 26th Harbin Ice and Snow Festival.

Tingting filed this report.

 With a giant snow sculpture as the backdrop, 28 newlyweds step up to the stage to accept the blessings from relatives and friends at Sun Island Scenic Zone, one of the most popular tourist sites in Harbin.

Ben Grayling, one of the bridegrooms, is from Australia.

"Harbin is where my wife is from. Today, my family and her family came from different places to celebrate our wedding here. Harbin is a great place and the wedding is different, it's unique. In Australia, everybody has a wedding alone."

Xiao Yunfeng, another bridegroom drove several hours from Mudanjiang city to join the group wedding. He says he wants to express his love for his wife through this unique wedding ceremony.

"The Sun Island Scenic Zone is a famous scenic site. It's very special to have our wedding here. I love my wife so much. Though it's a bit cold outside, my love is getting even more passionate here."

These newlyweds have to brave the chilly weather for the wedding, when temperatures here average minus 20 degrees Celsius in winter.

They think it's all worthwhile.

Liang Yan, a bride from Daqing city, puts it this way.

"Harbin is the Ice City of China. The whole city is crystal and very beautiful. I think the ice and snow symbolize my pure love for my husband. I believe the wedding here will leave us with a life-long romantic memory."(www.hXen.com)

The Ice and Snow Wedding is a regular component of the annual Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival.

This year's Festival started January 5th and will last for three months.

Tingting, CRI News, from Harbin.