MARJAN
1.1.2019 14:55:10 CET | Business Wire | Press release
Ras Al Khaimah captivated the world with its 2019 New Year’s Eve Fireworks that welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors to the emirate. Organised by Marjan, with the support of Ras Al Khaimah’s government entities, and put together by Fireworks by Grucci, the Ras Al Khaimah New Year’s Fireworks, spanning a duration of over 13.20 minutes, also clinched two Guinness World Records for the ‘Longest chain of fireworks’ and the ‘Longest straight line of fireworks’.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190101005028/en/
This year, the celebration was made even more memorable for the visitors with Al Marjan Island, the venue of the event and the flagship lifestyle destination by Marjan, hosting several family-oriented activities. Positioning the event on the global map of New Year’s Eve celebrations, the Ras Al Khaimah event was telecast internationally, and its images and videos shared on social media by millions more.
Eng. Abdulla Al Abdouli, Managing Director & CEO of Marjan, said: “The spectacular event highlighted the reputation of Ras Al Khaimah as the must-visit destination for celebrating the New Year’s Eve. With visitors arriving from across the world, the event served to highlight the touristic appeal of Ras Al Khaimah and to position it as a fast-growing leisure and commercial hub in the region. We thank the leadership of Ras Al Khaimah for their guidance and support in accomplishing this event, and all the government entities in the Emirate for the exceptional team work. With two Guinness World Records set, the 2019 Ras Al Khaimah New Year’s Eve Gala has been truly historic and adds to the pride of our nation.”
The celebration flagged off with a fascinating pyrotechnic tribute to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the nation. In a befitting conclusion to the ‘Year of Zayed’ marked in 2018 to coincide with his birth centenary, the night-sky of Ras Al Khaimah came to life with a brilliant image of Sheikh Zayed followed by a magnificent fireworks display.
“With our tribute to the late Sheikh Zayed, we highlighted that his legacy and name is important for us – daily, every hour and every second of the day. For us, Zayed is the beginning of everything we do; Zayed is the start of every new challenge; Zayed is our sense of pride. And we are starting the year, once again, remembering and paying respect to our great leader,” said Eng. Al Abdouli.
The ‘Longest chain of fireworks’
Clinching the Guinness World Records for the ‘Longest chain of fireworks’, the first pyrotechnic display, the tribute to the late Sheikh Zayed, featured 11,284 firework devices. The earlier record was for deploying 10,005 firework devices set by Viejas Casino & Resort (USA) in Alpine, California, USA, on September 12, 2014. Fireworks were deployed from 52 sites along Al Marjan Island and the waterways of Ras Al Khaimah’s coastline, with the total length of the chain exceeding 4.6 kilometres. The show was designed to 12 international music compositions, and the record was set in just 40 seconds.
The ‘Longest straight line of fireworks’
This was followed drone countdown to the New Year. A canopy of golden showers followed, and Ras Al Khaimah won the Guinness World Records for the ‘Longest straight line of fireworks’. The stunning display spanned an area of 13 kilometres, trumping the earlier record set over a distance of 11.38 kilometres.
The display had the largest calibre of aerial shell at a diameter of 600 mm, the largest used in the UAE for any fireworks display during this New Year’s Eve. The record was set in 12.06 minutes, with fireworks positioned at 13 sites across Al Marjan Island and the waterways along the RAK shoreline. There were seven themed chapters for the show, which was set to international music compositions. The inspiration for the fireworks display was the natural beauty of Ras Al Khaimah, and it was choreographed to highlight the beautiful beaches and resorts along the Emirate’s shoreline.
SkyMagic Drone Show
A 200-piece SkyMagic drone show was precisely integrated into the fireworks design. Scenes such as the tribute to Sheikh Zayed were displayed within a 100m space in the sky accented by colourful bursts of fireworks. A sweeping display of a falcon spreading its wings emphasised the heritage of the Emirate.
Designed by Phil Grucci, CEO & Creative Director of Fireworks by Grucci, the event was verified by an official adjudicator from Guinness World Records for the ‘Longest chain of fireworks’ and the ‘Longest straight line of fireworks.’ Following the fireworks gala, Eng. Al Abdooli and Phil Grucci, received the Guinness World Records titles from the adjudicator.
Marjan worked closely with Ras Al Khaimah’s government entities including Ras Al Khaimah Public Works to create several public viewing areas across Al Marjan Island. More than 27,000 additional public car parking spaces were provided to welcome the guests.
Preparations for the 2019 Ras Al Khaimah New Year’s Eve Fireworks started in early 2018 immediately after the successful Guinness World Record achievement for the ‘Largest Aerial Shell’ displayed from Al Marjan Island at last year’s New Year’s Eve celebration.
Over 300 hours were spent to design the show. The design resulted in the programming of over 41,000 lines of computer instructions to control 20 computers to display the sweeping performance. The firework components for the aerial shells, ranging in size from 14 to 600 mm, were hand-crafted exclusively by Grucci in their factories in New York and Virginia over a two-month period.
This time, Marjan had added new viewing areas for more people to enjoy the show. Several family activities were hosted at the venue including food trucks, ice cream salons, lemonade corners, colourful band performances, and face painting and inflatable games for children. Stilt walkers, mime artists, and clowns welcomed the guests.
For more information, please visit: www.RAKNYE.com
*Source: AETOSWire
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190101005028/en/
Contact:
ASDA’A BCW Iman Ahmed | Anthony Fernandes | Ahmed Abdulrazek Tel: +97144507600 iman.ahmed@bcw-global.com anthony.fernandes@bcw-global.com ahmed.abdulrazek@bcw-global.com
Link:
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Dubai Launches Global Create AI Agents Championship with Prize Pool Exceeding AED 2.5 Million8.10.2026 19:05:00 CEST | Press release
Dubai has launched the Create AI Agents Championship, a global competition inviting innovators to develop practical and scalable AI-agent solutions that address real-world challenges, with a total prize pool exceeding AED 2.5 million. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261008883373/en/ Dubai has launched the Create AI Agents Championship as part of its efforts to accelerate the adoption and development of Agentic AI (Photo: AETOSWire) The launch of the championship was announced by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, who encouraged innovators from around the world to participate. Led by Dubai Chamber of Digital Economy, the championship aims to accelerate the adoption of Agentic AI and support the development of innovative AI-agent solutions with strong potential for
Seiden Law LLP issues statement: Prosecuted by Press Conference: Declared Guilty Without a Charge, Yim Leak Family Asks UN Human Rights Experts to Hold Thailand to Its Own Treaty Commitments8.10.2026 18:26:00 CEST | Press release
Urgent appeal to UN Special Rapporteurs cites the presumption of innocence, due process and protection of a child. The key facts are the Thai government's own words and files. Seiden Law LLP, chief global counsel to Cambodian businessman Yim Leak, announced today that Jared Genser, international counsel to Mr. Yim and his wife, has asked two UN Special Rapporteurs to send an urgent appeal to the Thai government. The request is made on behalf of the couple and their seven-year-old son. It says Thailand violated its international human rights commitments by announcing the family’s guilt before any court had tried them, and by freezing their assets, including their minor son’s savings, without a hearing. Six Official Statements in Nine Months. No Charge Filed in Any Court. Between December 2025 and September 2026, Thai officials described Mr. Yim as the center of a criminal network on six occasions: at two press conferences chaired by the head of the Thai government, in the House of Repre
Sam Altman-Backed Meanwhile Raises $37.5M as Families Across Asia, Europe and the Middle East Turn to Bitcoin Life Insurance8.10.2026 18:12:00 CEST | Press release
Existing investors, led by Bain Capital Crypto, back the first licensed Bitcoin life insurer after its single-premium policy for international clients drives a record year Meanwhile, the first life insurer licensed to operate entirely in Bitcoin, today announced $37.5 million in new funding from its existing investors. Bain Capital Crypto led the round, alongside Haun Ventures, Framework Ventures, Pantera Capital, Apollo, Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures, and Morgan Creek Digital. Meanwhile, whose backers also include Sam Altman, has now raised more than $180 million. The round follows a surge in international demand for Meanwhile’s Bitcoin life insurance policies, particularly in Asia, Europe and the Middle East amid broader macro instability. In early 2026, Meanwhile launched BTC Life 1-Pay, a single-premium whole life policy built for high-net-worth clients outside the United States. It is the company's second product line after BTC 10-Pay, which is purposely designed for US taxp
Toluna Announces Planned CEO Transition After 25 Years; Founder Frédéric Charles Petit to remain as Board Member, Senior Advisor and Shareholder8.10.2026 16:20:00 CEST | Press release
Toluna, a global leader in consumer insights and market research technology, today announces a planned leadership transition. After 25 years leading the company he founded, Frédéric Charles Petit, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, intends to transition from his role as CEO following the appointment of his successor as part of a carefully planned succession process designed to ensure continuity for clients, employees and partners. Following the transition, Mr. Petit will continue to serve on Toluna's Board of Directors, will remain a significant shareholder of the company, and will take on an ongoing strategic advisory role for areas central to Toluna's next phase of growth. The Board, in close consultation with Mr. Petit, has initiated a structured succession process. A comprehensive transition plan is in place, including a defined handover with Mr. Petit, to ensure continuity for the company’s clients, employees, and partners. The Board expects to confirm the appointment of the com
CSC Wins for Threat Intelligence Innovation in 2026 CyberSecurity Breakthrough Awards8.10.2026 16:00:00 CEST | Press release
3D Domain Security and Global Enforcement recognized for excellence in an information security product CSC, an enterprise-class domain registrar and world leader in detecting and mitigating brand, fraud, domain, and Domain Name System (DNS) threat vectors, today announced that its 3D Domain Security and Global Enforcement solution won for Threat Intelligence Innovation in the 10th annual CyberSecurity Breakthrough Awards. The awards recognize the most innovative companies, products, and technologies driving progress in the global information security industry. CSC’s 3D Domain Security and Global Enforcement solution for the enterprise domain ecosystem combines advanced AI machine learning technology, proprietary domain threat intelligence, expert analysis, and integrated global enforcement. With this technology, organizations can detect, understand, and act on external cyber threats targeting their brand online across social media, search engines, email, and e-commerce websites. By unc
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom