World Celebrations
Millions gather worldwide to ring in new year
(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-01-01 07:46
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ADELAIDE, Australia - Multicolored starbursts and gigantic sparklers lit the midnight sky over Sydney Harbour in a dazzling fireworks display that was witnessed by 1.5 million enthusiastic spectators who camped out all day to ring in the New Year.
 Fireworks explode over a clock during New Year's Day celebrations in Bucharest's Constitution square Jan 1, 2011. [Photo/Agencies] |
"Stunning, beautiful," said Cinthya Romo, 32, a Sydney-based interpreter from Chile who watched the 12-minute fireworks show from the Opera House.
"Sydney's best show yet," exclaimed George Stamp, who enjoyed the show with his children.
Luxury yachts and smaller boats filled the harbor on the water, while people crammed into pubs, clubs and onto balconies with a view of the fireworks show.
At the Opera Bar Beach House, hundreds of people paid up to $500 for the view and a party with a beach theme.
"This has got to be the best place to be in the world tonight," said guest Marc Wilson, 41.
A few hours earlier, New Zealand and many South Pacific island nations were the first to see in the new year.
New Zealanders sang and danced their way into 2011, with firework displays and sold-out concerts entertaining revelers.
In its biggest city, Auckland, explosions of red, gold and white burst over the Sky Tower while tens of thousands shouted, danced and sang in the streets below.
In the southern city of Christchurch, thousands of partiers shrugged off a minor 3.3 earthquake that struck just before 10 pm to celebrate in Cathedral Square. The city has rumbled with thousands of aftershocks from a powerful 7.1-magnitude quake that damaged buildings across the city on Sept 4.
As the clock ticked closer to 2011, cities across Asia readied for midnight events ranging from traditional prayers in Japan to a massive pyrotechnic display in the shape of a dragon in Taiwan. Europeans were looking forward to celebrations that could help them forget their economic worries.
In New York City, nearly a million revelers were expected to cram into the streets around Times Square to watch the traditional midnight ball drop. The 20-inch snowstorm that blanketed the city was to have been no more than a memory thanks to work crews and warmer temperatures.
At midnight on Thursday, with just 24 hours to go, hundreds of people milled around Times Square as crews finished preparing TV sets for New Year's Eve broadcasts and while vendors sold hats and noisemakers.
Among the tourists were students from Grand Valley State University near Grand Rapids, Michigan, who were looking for a good location for Friday night and marveling at the preparations.
"For sure, we're going to be here," said Ahmed Lachheb, 23, from Sfax, Tunisia.
This year marks the first time Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, has officially celebrated the new year. It was set to do so with a countdown blowout, complete with a light show and foreign DJs in front of the city's elegant French colonial-style opera house.
In Japan, New Year's Eve is generally spent at home with family but those who venture out go to temples to pray for good luck in the new year.
At Zojoji, a 600-year-old Buddhist temple in central Tokyo, thousands were expected to release balloons at midnight carrying notes with their hopes for 2011.
In the Philippines, powerful firecrackers have injured at least 245 people in recent days and Health Secretary Enrique Ona urged safety during Friday's celebrations, saying he feared up to 1,000 injuries.
In Europe, many people were set to party in a bid to forget their economic woes after a year that saw Greece and Ireland needing financial bailouts and others, such as Spain and Portugal, battling speculation that they will follow suit.
In London, thousands were expected at a display of music and fireworks at the 135-meter London Eye on the southern bank of the Thames.
The Eye, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, lies almost opposite Big Ben which traditionally chimes in the new year.
If not at home or at private parties, Spaniards traditionally gather in their main town squares to eat 12 grapes one by one as the bell in the square counts down to the start of the new year.
In Berlin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in her New Year message that Europe was dealing with a major test and must strengthen the euro, even as she celebrated Germany's emergence from the economic crisis, powered by strong exports.
Merkel said in her televised message "it was a good year for Germany."
Associated Press
 Fireworks explode beside the London Eye and The Houses of Parliament on the River Thames during New Year celebrations in London Jan 1, 2011. [Photo/Agencies] |
