Thousands of people craned their necks Monday evening in Dubai to watch fireworks shoot from the sides of the world's tallest building, now called the Burj Khalifa, after United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan.
The tower had hitherto been called the Burj Dubai, but after a few brief remarks, Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, pulled aside a curtain covering a plaque commemorating the inauguration of the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan Tower.
As an orchestra played, a video screen proclaimed the building's height after years of mystery: 828 metres, a full 319 metres taller than the Taipei 101 tower, formerly the world's tallest building.
Only at the climax was the UAE's more recent reputation for razzmatazz on display: A spectacular, synchronised, light, fountain and fireworks show greeted the climax, with fireworks shooting off the sides of the building.
Sheikh Khalifa, the ruler of the neighbouring city-state of Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, stayed close by Sheikh Mohammed's side throughout the ceremony. Seated next to his cousin, Sheikh Mohammed at one point appeared to have a tear in his eye as he watched what should have been an unqualified testament to his city-state's rise as a world financial centre.
Sheikh Khalifa, the ruler of the neighbouring city-state of Abu Dhabi, the UAE capital, stayed close by Sheikh Mohammed's side throughout the ceremony. Seated next to his cousin, Sheikh Mohammed at one point appeared to have a tear in his eye as he watched what should have been an unqualified testament to his city-state's rise as a world financial centre.
They toiled 22 million hours over the course of 1,325 days, pouring 330,000 cubic metres of reinforced concrete and fitting 103,000 sq metres of sheet glass nearly a kilometer off the ground to produce 1,000 luxury residences, 160 swish hotel rooms, and 37 office floors with corporate suites. (Courtesy: ANI)
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