The last day of the year on Friday will herald muted celebrations in some countries due to COVID-related restrictions, while other nations are still pressing ahead with festivities such as fireworks and gatherings.
A year that began with a race to get vaccinated has ended with reluctant Europeans taking to the streets to vent their anger over a possible mandate to get jabbed, while dozens of countries are still short of doses.
In some parts of the world, the festivities are going ahead as normal, whereas others have added restrictions, such as a ban on large gatherings and no fireworks, and some countries have even introduced curfews aimed at preventing large gatherings at midnight.
Thousands of flights were canceled worldwide on Friday, with airlines blaming the disruption on on crew shortages amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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The best online events of New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve in Times Square
Despite the Omicron variant surge, the annual ball drop is taking place in Times Square in New York City. There are a number of different shows affiliated with it, the most popular being ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” which celebrates its 50th year. Performers include Colombian star Karol G, as well as One Republic and Journey on the show which starts at 8pm ET.
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The best online events of New Year’s Eve
A Miami celebration
Miley Cyrus teams up with comedian Pete Davis for what promises to be an entertaining New Year’s eve special called “Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party” broadcast out of Miami. In addition to surprise guests, those on the lineup include Saweetie, Jack Harlow, and Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong. The show runs on NBC.com and Peacock for US viewers, from 10:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. EST on December 31.
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The best online events of New Year’s Eve
A Viennese New Year’s tradition
It’s one of Europe’s classical music traditions — and one of the priciest tickets for those attending in person: The Vienna Philharmonic New Year’s concert. This year, conductor Daniel Barenboim will lead the historic ensemble in a program with waltzes and other danceable tunes by Johann Strauss and Carl Michael Ziehrer. It takes place at 2pm CET on January 1 and can be streamed online.
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The best online events of New Year’s Eve
Kicking off 2022 with the Berlin Philharmonic
Another leading orchestra is giving a concert to ring in 2022. Conducted by 32-year-old Israeli conductor Lahav Shani, it features violin soloist Janine Jansen. The orchestra presents works by Strauss, Ravel and Stravinsky and a violin concerto by Bruch. It can be streamed for a fee via the ensemble’s digital concert hall.
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The best online events of New Year’s Eve
A K-Pop showcase
Although K-pop superstars BTS won’t be doing a New Year’s show, fans of the genre can check out an online concert with groups from one of South Korea’s country’s biggest entertainment agencies, SM Entertainment. It includes performances by NCT, aespa, Super Junior, SHINee and more and can be streamed starting at 1pm PT (5am UTC) on January 1, 2022 on all of SMTown’s social media sites.
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The best online events of New Year’s Eve
David Guetta in the UAE
For those who prefer to dance the night away to tunes dropped by one of the world’s top DJs, the online concert by David Guetta is ideal. Similar to 2021 when he performed to an online audience in front of the Louvre in Paris, Guetta will present a streamed concert from the Louvre museum in Abu Dhabi that’s sure to be full of fancy pyrotechnics. It starts at 9pm CET on December 31 online.
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The best online events of New Year’s Eve
Fancy fireworks in Australia
Similar to NYC’s Times Square extravaganza, the annual fireworks display in the Sydney Harbor is Australia’s premiere New Year’s Eve event. Crowds will be in attendance, although authorities have enoucouraged people to watch the spectacle online. It takes place at 9pm local time (AEDT).
Author: Sarah Hucal
Here’s a roundup of how the world is marking New Year’s Eve
Oceania
The continent of Oceania was the first to usher in the new year.
At 11 a.m. GMT (1200 CET), the Pacific island nations of Tonga and Samoa, along with New Zealand, entered into 2022.
The Australian city of Sydney, the customary fireworks display at the Harbor Bridge and Opera House went ahead as planned two hours later.
Despite a surge in coronavirus cases, queues began forming at vantage points around the harbor early Friday in the morning for spectators to get a good view. Vaccination and the use of masks will not be mandatory to attend, organizers said.
Asia
Beijing, Hong Kong, Jakarta and Bangkok have all welcomed in the new year 2022.
President of China Xi Jinping in a New Year’s address called on his nation to maintain a “strategic focus” and be mindful of “potential risks” to the Communist Party’s long-term goal of transforming China into a global superpower. Xi also said China had achieved an important step on the way in building a “moderately prosperous” society.
In a televised speech, Xi said, “We must always keep a long-term perspective, remain mindful of potential risks, maintain strategic focus and determination, and attain the broad and great while addressing the delicate and minute.'”
Xi also said Taiwan would be unified with “the motherland,” calling the democratically ruled island “sacred.” China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and does not consider the democratically elected government in Taipei as legitimate.
There were no plans for celebrations in Beijing where popular temples have been closed or had limited access since mid-December.
The Shanghai government put a stop to events going ahead also, such as an annual light show along the Huangpu River.
Across Japan, many are taking new year trips to spend time with their families, in traditional style, while others headed for temples and shrines, most of them wearing masks.
Europe
Germany, which has recently reintroduced contact restrictions, has banned fireworks for the second year in a row in an attempt to prevent large gatherings and to ease the burden on hospitals, which regularly have to treat injuries resulting from pyrotechnic accidents.
A majority of Germans support the ban, according to a YouGov poll carried out for the news agency DPA, but that hasn’t stopped some citizens trying to circumvent the restriction by traveling to neighboring Denmark and Poland to stock up on fireworks.
In the German capital Berlin, the city has cancelled its fireworks display at the Brandenburg Gate and the accompanying celebrations. German public broadcaster ZDF however will broadcast a live show featuring singers Bonnie Tyler and Marianne Rosenberg, among others instead.
Germany is experiencing unusually mild temperatures this year. On Friday, temperatures will range from 10 degrees Celsius (50 Fahrenheit) on the coast to 16 degrees in the southwestern part of the country, according to the German Weather Service.
France is set to take over the rotating EU presidency tomorrow, with President Emmanuel Macron saying that the next year “must be a turning point for Europe.”
“Our continent has been decried so much in recent years. They say it’s divided, incapable of collective projects, in the process of becoming a historical irrelevance,” Macron said in his New Year’s message. But the pandemic “has demonstrated that our Europe can be not only useful but also a source of hope,” he said.
The UK will have the warmest New Year’s Eve on record. Ryehill in East Yorkshire saw a temperature of 14.9 degrees Celsius Friday, just 0.1 more than the last highest temperature on record in 2011.
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New Year’s Eve celebrations around the world
Sydney, Australia
Unlike last year, Sydney planned to put on a public fireworks display against the backdrop of the famous Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge. The spectacle can be admired from 30 vantage points. Admission to these, however, is only permitted for ticket holders. Organizers are urging revelers to get fully vaccinated.
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New Year’s Eve celebrations around the world
United Arab Emirates
David Guetta’s New Year’s Eve music performance at the Louvre Abu Dhabi will go ahead as planned, although authorities recently imposed tougher pandemic restrictions. A laser show and fireworks display will be staged at Dubai’s Khalifa Tower. There is no limit on how many people may attend, though guests must register online.
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New Year’s Eve celebrations around the world
Moscow
Russia has shied away from adopting strict pandemic measures despite consistently high caseloads. As such, Muscovites can enjoy a carefree New Year’s Eve. An ice rink and fair have been set up on Moscow’s Red Square, and a fireworks display will ring in 2022. Across the city, restaurants and nightclubs are open.
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New Year’s Eve celebrations around the world
Prague
Authorities are permitting private gatherings of up to 50 people. Restaurants are open, though at limited capacity, with no more than four guests allowed at one table. Public celebrations will be off-limits to people who are unvaccinated or have not recovered from COVID-19. Fireworks are banned in Prague and other Czech cities.
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New Year’s Eve celebrations around the world
Berlin
This year, New Year’s Eve fireworks are banned across Germany to prevent injuries and ease the burden on German hospitals. Outside gatherings are prohibited in certain regions and private celebrations may be attended by no more than 10 guests. To make up for a dearth in public festivities, The German broadcaster ZDF is airing a New Year’s Eve special with Bonnie Tyler and Marianne Rosenberg.
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New Year’s Eve celebrations around the world
Vienna, Austria
Austrian authorities have introduced a nighttime curfew for bars and restaurants to help contain a recent surge in coronavirus cases. But that does not mean Austrians have to stay home, twiddling their thumbs on New Year’s Eve. In keeping with tradition, the Vienna State Opera is staging “The Bat,” an operetta by Johann Strauß. Other cultural events are being held as well.
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New Year’s Eve celebrations around the world
Madrid, Spain
Madrid has not imposed any serious restrictions for New Year’s Eve. The president of Spain’s capital region, Isabel Diaz Ayuso, said bans would prove ineffective and added that hospitalizations were stable. A large crowd is expected to gather on Madrid’s Puerta del Sol square. Authorities have set a maximum limit of 7,000 revelers.
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New Year’s Eve celebrations around the world
London
London’s traditional Trafalgar Square New Year’s Eve festivities and riverside fireworks display have been canceled for the second year. Decision-makers imposed fresh restrictions after omicron cases began surging in mid-December. At least Big Ben will chime for the first time in four years, following extensive restoration work.
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New Year’s Eve celebrations around the world
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro will go ahead with its world-famous fireworks show on Copacabana beach. The city will stage further firework displays in nine other locations. However, this year, partygoers will have to make do without stage shows. The city’s mayor said large crowds outdoors posed almost no contagion risk.
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New Year’s Eve celebrations around the world
New York
This year, New York’s traditional Times Square party will go ahead as usual, with revelers in attendance. Partygoers must, however, show that they are vaccinated and wear masks. Times Square will open later than usual, and fewer guest will be admitted. The celebrations will be broadcast on television and streamed online.
Author: Sophie Dissemond
In the Netherlands, a 12 year old boy has died from a mishap involving a firecracker in the small eastern town of Haaksbergen near the border wth Germany. Another boy of the same age was hospitalized and a man was taken into custody.
This is the second year fireworks have been banned in the Netherlands. The ban is due to the COVID-19 pandemic and aims to scale back the number of fireworks-related injuries and keep hospital beds open for coronavirus patients.
In Russia, President Vladimir Putin delivered a somber New Year’s address and said Russia defended its interests “firmly and consistently” and warned that the coronavirus “isn’t retreating yet.”
He praised Russians for their “hard work” despite the tough times and said Russians went through the year “valiantly.”
Putin also said his “main goal” for the future was to “improve the welfare and quality of life for people.”
The televised address is broadcast just before midnight in each of Russia’s 11 time zones.
Africa
In South Africa, the first country to report the omicron variant of the coronavirus, a midnight-to-4:00 a.m. curfew was lifted to allow the New Year’s celebrations to go ahead.
Citizens in Morocco, however, have not been afforded such an opportunity, with a ban on festivities and a nightly curfew in place.
Americas
New York City prepared to herald in 2022 as it revives the city’s annual event in Times Square, even as public health officials cautioned Friday against unbridled celebrations amid a surge in COVID infections.
The United States’ most populous city said it would limit the number of people it lets into Times Square to witness a 6-ton ball encrusted with crystals descend from overhead to 15,000 people. The number of spectators is far fewer than the many tens of thousands of revelers who usually congregate on the world-famous square for the occasion.
In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, festivities that include fireworks and usually bring some 3 million people to Copacabana Beach will go ahead.
jsi,ar/rt (AP, AFP, Reuters, dpa)
New Year’s Eve digest: COVID cloud looms over celebrations
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