Polar bears and Viking ships made of pure and crystal clear ice. Drinks naturally cooled by ice glasses. A freezing cold storytelling of the Norwegian Vikings’ travels to Istanbul 1130 years ago.
After a year of working with what might have seemed to be a crazy idea, the ice sculpture-centre "Magic Ice" is now to be opened in Istanbul. The Norwegian company Lofoten Trading stands for the initiative, and Odd Roar Olsen is the manager of the centre.
- I am looking forward to the opening, says Olsen.
Location makes it exotic
Olsen tells that there was some skepticism towards the project in the beginning, and also admits that it has been challenging technically. He however hails the cooperation with Turkish companies, who have been in charge of the building and shaping of the ice.
Ice sculpturing is not a new invention – for instance guests can sleep in a hotel made of ice in the Northern Norwegian city Alta.
- The idea of ice sculpturing is not innovative in itself, but the location here in Istanbul makes it exotic. Hopefully this can be an amusement park-experience as much for the parents as for their children, says Olsen.
Viking traces in Hagia Sophia
Central to the exhibition is the story of the Viking guardian Halvdan, who travelled to Istanbul from Lofoten, in Northern Norway. His presence is proved by inscriptions of the Vikings’ runic letters on the walls of Hagia Sophia.
- In this way, the exhibition points to the early contacts between Lofoten and Istanbul, Norway and Turkey, says Odd Roar Olsen.
Alexander Rybak was supposed to perform at the opening of the ice center, but the concert is cancelled due to the volcanic eruption.