North Korea is hosting an ice sculpture festival as one of the many nationwide preparations for the upcoming Gwangmyeongjeol (Day of the Shining Star) celebration, also known as the birthday of former leader Kim Jong Il, Korean Central Television (KCTV) reported Monday.

Along with national founder Kim Il Sung’s birthday on April 15, Kim Jong Il’s birthday on February 16 is one of North Korea’s biggest annual celebrations.

“Even in the bitter cold, our soldiers and officers have carved more than 500 tons of ice and 1,000 tons of snow … to construct the 45 types of ice sculptures that