Rio de Janeiro has been awarded the Guinness world record for the largest-ever New Year's Eve celebration hosted by a city, for an hours-long free concert that gathered 2.5 million people on Copacabana beach last year.
Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes received a plaque on Tuesday from a Guinness World Records representative on the main stage prepared for this year's installment, also on Copacabana, that will feature legendary Brazilian singer Gilberto Gil.
"This title was awarded... taking into account the record number of participants, the scope of the artistic programme, the territorial reach of the event and its cultural relevance", the mayor's office said of the award.
Drone footage had confirmed the participation of a record 2.5 million people in last year's celebrations.
Paes described the award as an honour and said "no other city in the world organises events that bring together so many people with such consistency".
Each New Year, Copacabana draws legions of revellers who traditionally dress in white.
For this year's event, organisers have planned 12 minutes of fireworks and 1,200 drones to light up the sky.
Thirteen stages have been erected for free concerts to be held across the city, including three in Copacabana where 3,500 police officers will be deployed.
Rio de Janeiro welcomed nearly two million foreign visitors from January to November, a record. — AFP
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