Countdown for Dubai’s New Year spectacle begins

Muaz Shabandri / 25 December 2013

Falcon, 10-km sunrise, National Flag in record-breaking attempt 

Scenes of a flying falcon, a 10-kilometre sunrise and the UAE National Flag will be projected into the open night air when hundreds of thousands of fireworks go off as part of a world record attempt on New Year’s Eve. All eyes will be on Dubai this New Year’s Eve with the world’s biggest celebrations planned to ring-in the festive season.
On December 31, Dubai’s skyline will light up in a galaxy of colours and lights, with officials promising to amaze the world with a never before seen spectacle, in an attempt to break the current Guinness World Record for the largest firework display.
The breathtaking display will use fireworks and lighting to create a flying falcon, the UAE Flag and a sunrise scene, shortly before midnight.
The flying falcon will be created using a special sky-etching technique and it will end in a countdown to New Year. At midnight, the 300 man made islands of The World and Palm Jumeirah will set the stage for a full-blown pyrotechnic display with a 10-kilometre artificial sunrise planned to colour the skies.
The massive display will use the largest firework shells ever fired in the Middle East and each shell will rise 600 metres above the island, spreading a canopy of colours over 700m wide.
That’s not it. Organisers will also be creating the world’s largest pyrotechnic flag using fireworks controlled by computer chips for precision firing.
It is clear that Dubai will leave no stone unturned to amaze the world. A statement from Dubai Media Office read: “As part of Dubai’s commitment to excellence, the city is coming together to set a phenomenal pyrotechnic record on 31 December that aims to light up the Dubai skyline with a host of spectacular and memorable firework displays.” Handcrafted fireworks from the USA, China and Spain will be used in the show, which has been planned by 200 expert pyrotechnicians. Every inch of the show has been crafted to perfection, with 100 computers synchronising the extravaganza.
The sheer magnitude of the performance will be incredible with over 200 expert pyrotechnicians, 400 firing locations and controllers synchronising the show down to milliseconds.
The magic will be captured by several aerial cameras dotting the city and a full display will be screened live as part of Dubai TV’s New Year’s Eve coverage. Dubai-based composer Matt Faddy will provide a synchronized soundtrack.

There will be a vehicle and movement restriction along the Palm Jumeirah, with visitors requiring passes to enter and no access at all between 10.30pm and 1am.