Themed 2015 iSee Taiwan, Cherish Taiwan, the 3 minute and 38 second show featured 23,000 shells and sparklers running along the outside of the world’s tallest green building. The shells detonated over four stages—spring, summer, autumn and winter—at an altitude of 600 meters.
Another visual highlight was the use of lasers after the fireworks displaying messages in Chinese and English such as Cherish Taiwan and Happy New Year. In addition, 21 buildings, department stores and shopping malls throughout neighboring Xinyi District turned on their internal and external lighting until 1 a.m.
The soundtrack was 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 earned rapturous applause and cheering from the crowds.
“This year’s show once again thrust Taiwan into the international spotlight and highlighted the can-do spirit of the locals,” an official with building owner Taipei Financial Center Corp. said. “The extravaganza helped remind the people to cherish the island and join hands in working toward a sparkling future.”
According to the official, the Spain-made fireworks were of the highest quality and gave off limited smoke. The show generated around 7,626 kilograms of carbon emissions, but this 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 was sponsored by Taipei City-based iSee Taiwan Foundation, a nongovernmental organization promoting Taiwan’s merits as world-class tourist destination.
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