UAE lights up the world this New Year

Beaming Burj Khalifa

Dubai welcomed 2018, the 'Year of Zayed', with a Guinness World Record title as hundreds of thousands of spectators were left spellbound by 'Light Up 2018', a laser light show at the Burj Khalifa. The show bagged the record for the largest laser light show on a single building.

At the stroke of midnight, the world's tallest tower danced in an ethereal web of lights after paying tribute to the founding father of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Then, the entire Downtown Dubai was turned into an art canvas as searchlights beamed artworks across buildings and skyscrapers while upbeat traditional and electro-dance music colored by more than 80 musicians from the UAE - went in sync with the laser light spectacle.

A burst of colours engulfed Downtown Dubai and the rich Emirati tradition was very much evident throughout the show as falcons came soaring down from the top of the Burj Khalifa. The GCC countries' flags were flashed across the tower. Light Up 2018 integrated music, visuals and acrobatic performance in a brilliantly choreographed show at the The Dubai Fountain.

This was the first time the Burj Khalifa did not welcome the new year with fireworks, but the laser light show was impressive and fas cinating.

A Dubai resident of seven years, Jehan Keila Yrreverre, said the laser show was "a lot better and more enthralling than the previous fireworks displays".

"It lasted longer; the show was fascinating, and furthermore, it was environment-friendly as there was no harmful smoke left after the show," Yrreverre told Khaleej Times. "The LED lights very impressive, crispier and clearer and the music really got me in the mood to welcome 2018 on a high note," he added.

Greek expat Andrii Koleshmyk agreed and said he was "really impressed that Dubai is always keen on innovating".

Fireworks were burst not only to welcome the new year in the UAE, but also of six other countries, through seven countdowns and fireworks displays. Families witnessed one-minute long fireworks, a world parade featuring traditional music and dance performances from across the globe, and much more. Arbaz and Bilal's mother Shainila, along with their father Khalid Shah, drove down from Sharjah to ring in the new year at Global Village. "We've witnessed celebrations everywhere else in Dubai - Burj Khalifa, Atlantis, etc and this is our first time here. It's been the best so far," said Khalid.

"It is really beautiful ... I've never seen anything like it before. I really enjoyed the fact that so many cultures were able to celebrate peacefully together. The weather is perfect, and people are really well-behaved and friendly," said Shivaranjana Jadhav, an Indian tourist. The crowds cheered in unison as the pavilions of different countries got together to organise 'parades of the world'.

Wish you all a very Happy New Year 2018. Stay Blessed <3

SOurce Link: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/UAE-lights-up-the-world-this-New-Year