Despite the rain, more than 100,000 people gathered on the banks of the Thames in London to witness the traditional New Year’s show. Some 12,000 fireworks exploded in the sky, for celebrations on the theme of “love and unity.”
Big Ben, revamped after a five-year hiatus, chimed and a countdown was projected on the London Eye until midnight. At the beginning of the show, the drones inscribed the message “2023 with love from London” in the sky.
The show also paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who died last September at the age of 92. The drones thus represented in the sky a coin with the face of the deceased monarch.
Message of support for Ukraine
Then the drones changed position to make way for a portrait of King Carlos III. A message from the sovereign on the need to protect the planet against climate change was also transmitted.
Featuring music by the Eurovision-winning Ukrainian orchestra Kalush and the colors blue and yellow, the show paid tribute to the Ukrainians, against the backdrop of the Russian invasion of the country. The show also celebrated the victory of the English soccer team in this year’s Women’s Euro Cup.
It was the first time people had gathered in the British capital to celebrate the start of the New Year since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Source: BFM TV
