Fireworks welcome 2019: New Year's Eve Celebration in Sydney

Fireworks in Sydney Harbour on New Year's Eve (Photo by City of Sydney)

On the evening of 31 Dec. 2018, revellers celebrated New Year's Eve at Sydney Harbour in Sydney, Australia. As the earliest city to greet 2019, fireworks went off across Sydney to welcome in the New Year.

Inspired by the theme 'pulse of Sydney', the 12-minute spectacle featured new wave-effects and pulsating fireworks, as well as lime and peach colored fireworks in celebration of the Australian summer. More than 8.5 tonnes of fireworks, incorporating more than 100,000 individual effects, 35,000 of them shooting rockets, were fired over the harbour as the clock struck 12 midnight.

Fireworks in Sydney Harbour on New Year's Eve (Photo by City of Sydney)

Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore, said around one million people gathered around Sydney Harbour to ring in the New Year, with more than one billion watching around the world. "Sydney New Year's Eve is one of the largest and most technical fireworks displays in the world,” she added.

"Under the direction of fireworks maestro, Fortunato Foti, our fireworks become more spectacular every year - with new colors and effects. We also use a combination of lighting effects and fireworks manufactured from biodegradable paper, so that we use less power and minimize our environmental impact while putting on a world-class event for our Sydney community and visitors alike."

Fireworks in Sydney Harbour on New Year's Eve (Photo by City of Sydney)

At midnight, more than 65,000 fireworks were launched from seven barges across the harbour, accompanied by lighting effects spanning the whole length of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

According to the organizer, 90 percent of the fireworks used in Sydney's New Year’s Eve celebration came from China, and 40 percent of the audience were tourists from overseas. The fireworks were made from biodegradable paper and compounds that dissipate after use to minimize the environmental impact. Sydney also used improved technology as well as energy efficient and low wattage lighting to achieve a more eco-friendly celebration. (People’s Daily Online / Yanyun Li)