RECORD BREAKING NEW YEAR CELEBRATION IN DUBAI 2014
World firework record established for Dubai 2014 New Year celebration
In Dubai
thousands of people, who watched the Dubai New Year 2014 spectacle from various
locations, were left spell-bound. Dubai shattered the world record for the
largest ever pyrotechnic display on New Year's Eve with a show involving more
than half a million fireworks, Guinness World Records said Wednesday. The mesmerizing display of fireworks encircled the Palm Jumeirah, the World Islands
and Burj Al Arab. Enough fireworks were launched in the first minute of the
display to break the previous record, set by Kuwait in 2011 with an hour-long
show of 77,282 fireworks.
"Ten
months in planning, over 500,000 fireworks were used during the display which
lasted around six minutes, with Guinness World Records adjudicators on hand to
confirm that a new record had been set," the Guinness website said. The
display spanned 94 kilometres (58.4 miles) of the Dubai coast, which boasts an
archipelago of man-made islands and Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower,
Guinness said.
US firm
Fireworks by Grucci designed the display, Guinness said, using 100 computers
and 200 technicians to synchronize the pyrotechnics at a reported cost of around $6 million (4.3 million euros). The show was broadcast-ed live on Dubai
TV to millions of spectators. Dubai has been vying to become a permanent
fixture on the world map of New Year celebrations, staging spectacular shows
since the opening of the 828-meter (2,716-foot) Burj Khalifa tower in 2010.
Thousands
of amethysts lit the night sky as red and silver fireworks cascaded the
828-metre tower. This year's highlights, however, was the fireworks shaped like
the petals of the Hymenocallis desert flower - from where the Burj Khalifa's
design was based. The petals created the illusion of it enveloping the tower.
Crowds
thronged the beaches of Umm Suqeium, Jumeirah and Jumeirah Beach Residence,
from early in the evening, despite chilly weather. Families, with children only
months old, stationed themselves from as early as 5pm to get the best possible
view of the spectacle.
“I came with my family from Abu Dhabi just to watch the fireworks. We started at 12 noon, reached here at 5pm. It’s been a wonderful evening, really worth the wait,” said Hamid Mirza, an Engineer based in capital.
Families
came from as far away as Fujairah and Ras Al khaimah, where as many people flew
in from neighbouring countries to be part of the world Record.
"I travelled all the way from Egypt and it has been a fabulous trip a truly spectacular show," said Cherif Farrog.
Roads
could be seen completely blocked around Burj Khalifa as well as the Jumeirah
area. People got themselves on every inch of vantage points to get the best
possible view of fireworks. People climbed up the bridges and parked their cars
at the height as far away as Al khail road and Al Ain Road.
"The show was great, it's the most amazing fireworks show that I've seen in my life," Aya, a tourist from Sudan, told Gulf News.
