The UAE captivated the world this New Year’s Eve with a fireworks spectacle to usher in 2018. The laser, light and musical fountain show by Emaar clinched the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the ‘largest light and sound show on a single building,’ staged on Burj Khalifa, recognized as the world’s tallest skyscraper.
The record beats that set in Hong Kong in 2013 on the ICC Building which was over an area of 46,641.52 square metres. ‘Light Up 2018’ on BurjKhalifa, by contrast, spanned an impressive surface area of 109,252 square metres (about 27 acres, the size of about 20 football fields) – more than double that of the earlier record set.
Emaar’s ‘Light Up 2018’ Downtown Dubai celebration hosted more than a million visitors from across the world and reached an estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide through live television broadcast and social media livestreams.
The light show consisted of brilliant laser beams in multiple hues that enveloped the night sky over Downtown Dubai, complementing the new LED panel displays of Burj Khalifa with over 1.1 million pixels, and the musical water performance of The Dubai Fountain.
Taking five months of constant preparation, ‘Light Up 2018’ put Dubai and the UAE in the global spotlight through its futuristic approach to New Year’s Eve gala celebrations. Environmentally-friendly, safe and spectacular, it served as a testament to the ‘can do’ ability of the nation with an international team collaborating to create a never-attempted-before feat.
A highlight of the show was the visual tribute to the founding father of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, to coincide with the nation commemorating 2018 as the ‘Year of Zayed’ to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth.
Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties, said: “The UAE celebrates positivity and hope. The nation and its leadership inspire the world through breakthrough achievements while creating opportunities for people and businesses to thrive. The ‘Light Up 2018’ spectacle is our tribute to the nation, celebrating its accomplishments, and putting the UAE on the global map as a true hub where inspiring minds meet and connect.
On the spectacular event, Talal Omar, Country Manager, GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS, said: “As the global authority on record-breaking we have seen fascinating things from all over the world. However, we are always keen to find out what records Emaar plan to attempt each year, and to support them as they continue to push the boundaries of technology and innovation in these attempts.”
Breaking the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title with ‘Light Up 2018’ required a total installation of lights, beams and accessories weighing over 118.44 tonnes, and more than 28.7 km of cables – including 7.7 km of power cabling and 21 km of network and signal cabling.
Ushering in the New Year, the celebration continued with a tribute to the UAE and Dubai, a mark of solidarity to the friendly GCC nations, a spectacular display to mark the ‘Year of Zayed’ as well as an abstract depiction of the elements of nature. The display also featured the free-flight of a falcon and a rendering of the upcoming icon by Emaar, the Dubai Creek Tower in Dubai Creek Harbour.
Special viewing platforms were set up across Burj Park, the primary venue of the event, as well as across Downtown Dubai. For the first time, a dedicated space was curated for People with Determination in South Ridge, overlooking Burj Park, that accommodated more than 100 people, offering them direct views of the celebration.
The entire show was displayed on big screens in Downtown Dubai. Live feeds of the event were telecast around the world in addition to a live Twitter feed and an online real-time feed on the MyDubaiNewYear portal.
Emaar Properties is a global property developer and provider of premium lifestyles, with a significant presence in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. One of the world’s largest real estate companies, Emaar has a land bank of 188 million square metres in the UAE and key international markets.
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