A million people gathered in the harbor area of Sydney to watch a twelve-minute long fireworks show over the Harbor Bridge and the Opera House when the clock struck midnight, at 2 pm Norwegian time.
Two hours earlier, thousands of New Zealanders watched the countdown to midnight on a screen atop Auckland’s tallest building, the Sky Tower, where, according to tradition, there was also a five-minute fireworks display. The rainy weather during the day cleared up towards midnight.
Photo: AFP
First out
But the first to welcome 2024 were the inhabitants of Kiribati in the Pacific Ocean, a full 13 hours before the New Year’s rockets hit Norway.
The Pacific Islands of Kiribati are always the first populated place in the world to welcome the New Year. They rang in the new year at 11 Norwegian time on Sunday morning.
They were followed by other islands in the Pacific Ocean, such as Samoa, New Zealand and parts of Australia, such as Melbourne. Brisbane followed an hour later than Sydney.
Spectacular fireworks at Sydney Harbor in Australia on Sunday evening
Photo: AP
Temples and dance
Japan’s capital Tokyo entered the new year at 3 pm Norwegian time, and people gathered at temples around the country. At the same time as South Korea’s capital Seoul. Then followed Taipei, Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines’ capital Manila at 5 p.m.
In Beijing and other Chinese cities, celebrations went quietly as fireworks were banned for safety and environmental reasons. There was still colorful dancing in Beijing, and balloons were released in Chongqing
In Thailand they follow the Buddhist calendar and welcome the year 2567.
Fireworks on the facade
When the clock struck twelve in Dubai, a massive firework exploded over the facade of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.
In the Vatican, Pope Francis commemorated 2023 as a year characterized by war and suffering. In his traditional Sunday address at St. Peter’s Square, he asked people to pray for the people of Ukraine and the Palestinian and Israeli peoples, as well as Sudan and many others.
– At the end of the year, we will have the courage to ask ourselves how many lives have been destroyed in armed conflict, how many died, how much destruction, how much suffering and how much poverty, said the Pope.
War in Ukraine and Gaza
In Russia, the war has overshadowed the traditional New Year’s celebration, and the fireworks on Red Square have been cancelled, just like last year. In several other cities, such as Vladivostok, the celebration has been canceled after the attack on Belgorod on Saturday.
At the same time, New Year’s Eve in Ukraine was marked by new waves of Russian attacks, including against Kyiv, Kharkiv and other cities.
In Gaza, there was no break in the brutal war, and at least 35 people were killed in new Israeli attacks both in the north and in the south. At the same time, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear that the war will continue for several more months, contrary to calls from the United States and everyone else.
In Pakistan, all New Year’s celebrations were canceled in solidarity with the Palestinians, and in Iraq, a large Christmas tree in Baghdad was decorated with Palestinian flags, while many of the country’s Christians canceled their celebrations in sympathy with the Palestinians.
Shock announcement in Denmark
In Denmark, the celebrations got off to a shocking start when, in her New Year’s speech, Queen Margrethe unexpectedly announced that she would abdicate in two weeks, and that the country would have a new king.
After Europe and Africa, the celebration of the new year rolls west across the Atlantic. At six o’clock Norwegian time on Monday, it’s time for New York’s traditional celebration in Times Square.
The residents of Hawaii are always among those who have to wait the longest at the turn of the year. They celebrate New Year’s Eve only when the clock strikes Monday 1 January at 11 o’clock here in Norway.
Oslo
Photo: NTB
2023-12-31 23:10:31
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