culture

At present, people can do skating or swimming in all seasons as there are relevant facilities.

In general, however, they still want to go sea bathing on the beach in hot summer and go skating and skiing in the open air in winter when everything is covered with snow.

An open-air ice rink located in downtown Pyongyang is a favourite haunt of many citizens this winter.

It starts service in the evening when darkness sets in. It presents a spectacular night view with floodlights, garden lamps and decorative illuminations going well with the surroundings, even delighting passersby.

According to its staffer, it opened right before the New Year’s Day of this year and a growing number of people have come there since then.

“Skating, a whole body exercise, is an ideal sport for everyone, men and women, and young and old. Regular skating has a positive effect on heart, lung and other internal organs. Especially, young people and students can improve their physical strength through regular skating in winter,” he added.

“The atmosphere is really good. I feel as if I am a figure skater as I skate to the tune of music on the ice rink decorated with colourful lights under the starry sky,” said girl student Pang Ye Gyong wearing a pair of skates she borrowed at a skate lending room.

Schoolboys swiftly thread their way through the crowds of skaters, some middle-aged people struggle to balance themselves but fail and fall and a group of five or six schoolgirls try to catch the tail of other group. All of them beam with joy and the puffs of their breath add more to the cheerful mood at the ice rink in good harmony with the ambient lighting.

Some little kids plead with their parents to let them do skating as sled riding is boring and some aged persons “grumble” that they come to the ice rink every day pestered by their grandchildren.

“I have been compelled to come here again today with my seven-year-old granddaughter. Although she put on a pair of skates for the first time yesterday, she is now gliding on the ice better than I expected. I am deeply grateful to the Party for taking all kinds of measures to provide the people with better conditions for cultural and leisure activities,” said Ri Yong Ok living in Janghun-dong No. 3, Mangyongdae District.

Instructors of the ice rink provide kind service to beginners to help them acquire the knack of skating with ease.

The open-air ice rink is vibrant in the evening, filled with happy laughter of skating people.