Brazil readies for New Years' fireworks show

Record ID: 162635

  • Title: Brazil readies for New Years' fireworks show
  • Date: 29th December 2016
  • Summary: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (DECEMBER 29, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF WORKERS AND FIREWORKS IN CRATES ON SHIP THAT WILL BE USED FOR NEW YEAR'S SHOW PAN OF DECK OF SHIP TO BE USED TO SET OFF FIREWORKS VARIOUS OF RIO DE JANEIRO SECRETARY OF TOURISM, ANTONIO PEDRO FIGUEIRA DE MELLO, INSPECTING FIREWORKS (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) RIO DE JANEIRO SECRETARY OF TOURISM, ANTONIO PEDRO FIGUEIRA DE MELLO, SAYING: "It's one of the biggest New Year's Eve celebrations in the world with 18 tons of fireworks because it's no good to have a small amount to last for a long period. So we have a large amount of explosives and especially with a lot of beautiful ones. There's a big show coming. Everyone has to stay plugged in and looking at the sky when it turns midnight." GENERAL VIEW OF SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN VARIOUS MORE OF PREPARED FIREWORKS ON SHIP DECK (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) RIO DE JANEIRO SECRETARY OF TOURISM, ANTONIO PEDRO FIGUEIRA DE MELLO, SAYING: "There's nothing like Copacabana. We have a wonderful crowd - two million of people, tourists, cariocas (residents of Rio de Janeiro), people who love the city of Rio de Janeiro who have come to Copacabana beach to enjoy this wonderful show and in peace and brotherhood." GENERAL VIEW OF SHIP DECK WORKERS MOVING CRATES AROUND PAN OF PACKAGED FIREWORKS
  • Embargoed: 13th January 2017 18:53
  • Keywords: fireworks Sugarloaf tourism New Years Copacabana
  • Location: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
  • City: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: Living/Lifestyle,Society/Social Issues
  • Reuters ID: LVA0015EXSJT3
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Rio de Janeiro is preparing its famous fireworks show as it readies to host millions of revellers who will flock to the city's beaches to ring in New Year 2017 during its annual New Year's Eve celebrations on the famed Copacabana Beach and other points throughout the city.
    Copacabana alone, the heart of New Year's celebrations in the Marvellous City, is expected to see more than 2 million people turnout for the annual fireworks display which is a mainstay of "Reveillon" celebrations here.
    City workers are busy building installations and stages along the iconic beachfront as they prepare for the annual festivities and musical guests who will perform starting at 6 p.m. (2000 GMT) leading up to the midnight fireworks display.
    And the ship deck from which the fireworks will be set off was also being readied Thursday (December 29). A total of 18 tons will be used. They currently in boxes and crates.
    "It's one of the biggest New Year's Eve celebrations in the world with 18 tons of fireworks because it's no good to have a small amount to last for a long period. So we have a large amount of explosives and especially with a lot of beautiful ones. There's a big show coming. Everyone has to stay plugged in and looking at the sky when it turns midnight," said Rio de Janeiro's Secretary of Tourism, Antonio Pedro Figueira de Mello, upon visiting the ship deck.
    The show is expected to last 12 minutes.
    The city will use eleven barges to light off the massive fireworks show synchronized to music on the shoreline as celebrants, most dressed in white, as is tradition here, marvel and dance on the sandy shores of the beach.
    It's an offering city officials are proud of.
    "There's nothing like Copacabana. We have a wonderful crowd - two million of people, tourists, cariocas (residents of Rio de Janeiro), people who love the city of Rio de Janeiro who have come to Copacabana beach to enjoy this wonderful show and in peace and brotherhood," de Mello said.
    Tourists have already begun showing up to Rio as they anxiously wait to ring in the New Year here.
    New Year's Eve celebrations are one of the city's largest tourist attractions and are an iconic symbol of the city.
    The city expects this year's celebration to inject $691 million dollars into the local economy.
    The president of the national branch of the Brazilian Hotel Industry Association, Paulo Michel, said hotel bookings are already up this year compared to last.
    The city will also be ramping up security ahead of the event with thousands of additional police patrolling strategic points in the city.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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