FIREWORKS WELCOME IN 2019 AROUND THE WORLD

As you are all fully aware here at Epic fireworks, we love FIREWORKS in any way, shape or form, so we bring you a roundup of every firework display as the world welcomed in 2019.

Samoa and Kiribati are the first to welcome in the new year and they did this with a traditional South Pacific party. As the clock struck midnight all citizens were sent out a Facebook message from the government wishing them a happy and prosperous new year. With this a beautiful firework display along with traditional dancers, jugglers and flamethrowers.

At 11am UK time, it was Auckland’s turn, combining the celebrations with the annual Wondergarden Festival in a party that you didn’t want to miss. Revellers descended to Auckland, so they could join in the festivities early, with even the government extending the party times with no restrictions on noise from 6pm and 2am. The fabulous fireworks display was set off from Auckland’s sky tower followed by a light projection on Auckland harbor bridge.

Sydney’s display was watched all over the world and you would have caught it at 12 midday UK time as it was televised. All the spectators, however, had a bit of a damp night as there were thunderstorms and rain for the majority of the evening. Despite the weather, the fireworks went ahead lighting up the skies over the Sydney Opera house and around the Harbour.

There was no expense was spared in Pyongyang North Korea, as there was a concert, dancers, singers and lasers and pyrotechnics were even used in the counting down to the new year in Arabic numerals (we're not entirely sure why on this one but hey ho!) before the fireworks were released in the main square. All this was before the addressing of the nation by King Jong-un.

The home of fireworks China did celebrate new year but not as widely as everywhere else in the world. The official new year for China is when the new lunar year begins, and this will not be celebrated in style until the 5^th to the 19^th February. Some did attend countdown events as these were held in the major cities and others headed to the Buddhist temples for bell ringing and prayers.

Dubai not wanting to disappoint not only put on fireworks this year but also attempted and broke 2 Guinness World Records. Hundreds of thousands of spectators flocked downtown to see the returning fireworks display on the Burj Khalifa the world’s tallest building.

Onto the European countries: Moscow is known for their celebrations been big and the best in the world and they go all out on New Year’s Eve to please the locals and visitors alike. Whether you attend the big city square celebration in St Petersburg or Moscow’s Red Square the celebrations are big bold and of course full of fireworks.

Athens culminated their New Year by setting the skies alight above the ancient Parthenon Temple at the top of Acropolis Hill. Before this there is a countdown celebration in the municipality of Athens. The night was hosted by some of Greece’s most celebrated actors, tv personalities and singers all with the Parthenon as a stunning backdrop.

Paris, even with the latest troubles of the protests and high-security presence, gathered everyone together for New Year celebrations on the Champs Elysees. President Emmanuel gave his traditional New Year address, and before midnight approached there was a light show illustrating the brotherhood that took place on the Arc de Triomphe monument.

If you were one of the lucky over 100,000 ticket holders for the London New Year’s Eve celebrations you will have witnessed over 8 tonnes of explosives been fired into the air, along with music from some of Europe’s finest artists. Amongst this the words “London is open” was spoken in 7 different languages along with the bells of Big Ben chiming once more after been quiet for most of the year due to renovation work been carried out on the Elizabeth Tower.

North of the UK in Edinburgh they held a colourful street party in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle; home of the Hogmanay. At midnight, the skies were lit above the castle along with a soundtrack provided by German band Meute. As soon as the fireworks were silent there was a mass performance of Auld Lang Syne.

With the temperature reaching 80 degrees in the beautiful City of Rio de Janeiro, many, if not all of the revellers enjoyed the fireworks for the new year in the sea or on the beach in their swimwear. However, for anyone that was witnessed the fireworks in Times Square New Years Eve was a completely different experience as the majority of the crowds that packed the square for the traditional crystal ball drop were dressed in raincoats and ponchos with some paying up to $10 each for one. The event was big, and star-studded as always with Christina Aguilera getting the crowd warmed up just before bebe Rexha sang John Lennon’s “imagine” just before the midnight ball drop and of course the spectacular fireworks.

Wherever you enjoyed the fireworks whether it was at home or in another country all us here at Epic fireworks would like to wish you all the best for the year 2019. We certainly had a blast.