Emaar Properties set a new Guinness record for hosting the largest 'light and sound' spectacle on a single building when it ushered in the New Year with dazzling fireworks and a colourful musical fountain show at the world's tallest tower Burj Khalifa.

The Dubai 'light and sound' show broke the record set in Hong Kong in 2013 on the ICC Building which was over an area of 46,641.52 sq m.

The ‘Light Up 2018’ on Burj Khalifa, by contrast, spanned an impressive surface area of 109,252 sq m (the size of about 20 football fields) - more than double that of the earlier record set, said a statement from Emaar.

The grand celebration was held in the presence of more than a million visitors from across the world which reached an estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide through live television broadcast and social media livestreams, it stated.

New Year’s Eve in Downtown Dubai was about much more than the record-breaking event that was one component of the show, as brilliant laser beams in multiple hues 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, said the developer in a statement.

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, the 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," remarked Al Abbar.

Lauding the event, Talal Omar, the 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 title 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, said the statement from Emaar.  

More than 300 professionals worked on-site including 100 rope-access experts; collectively they travelled over one million kilometres to join the project.

Dazzling show

Emaar’s show kicked off with on-ground celebrations from 5pm with performances of The Dubai Fountain every 15 minutes and a live DJ keeping audiences entertained in the run up to midnight.  

At two minutes to the New Year, ‘Light Up 2018’ began. Following a glittering display on the global icon - with powerful laser beams and LED lights creating inspiring motifs and patterns in myriad hues flickering up and down the entire height of the tower – it was time for the countdown.

In the darkness, Burj Khalifa was the hero, coming alive to the colours of the UAE flag - red, green, white and black – with the seconds remaining in 2017 ticking down on the tower’s façade.

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.-TradeArabia News Service