Taiwan’s landmark Taipei 101 is set to once again host its annual New Year’s Eve fireworks show, ushering in 2015 with a blaze of color and cacophony of sound.
Themed 2015 iSee Taiwan, Cherish Taiwan, the 3 minute and 38 second display features 23,000 shells and sparklers running along the outside of the world’s tallest green structure. The shells are set to detonate at an altitude of 600 meters so as to maximize the visual effect.
The soundtrack is a fusion of Eastern and Western musical styles, with indigenous Taiwan artists providing voice-overs at the beginning and end of the event. Several local folk tunes and segments of the “Four Seasons” by Italian composer Vivaldi will prove pleasing to the ear and underscore the country’s ethnic diversity.
“This year’s show is certain to thrust Taiwan into the international spotlight and highlight the can-do spirit of the locals,” an official with building owner Taipei Financial Center Corp. said. “We believe that the display will help remind the people to cherish the island and join hands in working toward a sparkling future.”
According to the official, the Spain-made fireworks are of the highest quality and give off limited smoke. “Even so, we expect the show to generate 7,626 kilograms of carbon emissions,” he said. This production will be offset by darkening 101’s external lights Jan. 5-12, 2015, a move expected to save 14,335 kilowatt-hours of electricity.
The event is sponsored by Taipei City-based iSee Taiwan Foundation, a nongovernmental organization promoting Taiwan’s merits as world-class tourist destination. (SFC-JSM)
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