The 40th World Snow Festival, held this year in Grindelwald, Switzerland, concluded with a proud achievement by the faculty members of Uşak University’s Faculty of Fine Arts. Taking place from January 13–18, 2025, the event brought together artists from around the globe, who created sculptures from three-meter-tall blocks of snow. Representing Turkey, the team from Uşak University’s Faculty of Fine Arts took first place.

- Another achievement by the Turkey Team from Uşak University’s Faculty of Fine Arts

The Turkey team, consisting of Uşak University Faculty of Fine Arts instructors Onur Fındık, Erhan Karadağ, Mehmet Küçük, and Associate Professor Zafer Güngen, earned a spot among 10 teams selected from numerous submissions worldwide to showcase their work at the festival. Their project, inspired by the legend of Şahmeran, captivated both the jury and the public, securing the first-place award.

This year’s festival theme, chosen to mark its 40th anniversary, was “Tradition.” The Şahmeran sculpture created by the Turkey team not only showcased the richness of Turkish culture on an international platform but also earned widespread admiration from art enthusiasts, bringing pride to the country. The sculpture, crafted by Turkish artists, became one of the festival's unforgettable works in this prestigious event, which attracted participants from various corners of the world.

Uşak University Rector Professor Dr. Ekrem Savaş congratulated the faculty members on this meaningful achievement and shared the following statement:
“The Faculty of Fine Arts at Uşak University continues to fulfill its mission of being a significant representative of art and culture, not only in our country but also on international platforms. This outstanding success at the World Snow Festival has once again highlighted our university’s expertise in art and design. The first-place award won by our faculty members with the Şahmeran sculpture, reflecting our cultural heritage, is a source of pride for both our university and our country. I wholeheartedly congratulate everyone involved in this success. As Uşak University, we will continue to support the arts in every field.”