Post date: Dec 27, 2013 7:46:10 PM
Rio de Janeiro prepares fireworks, security and the stage for 2014 celebration on Copacabana Beach.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (DECEMBER 27, 2012) (REUTERS) - With five days to go before the arrival of 2014, Rio de Janeiro organizers are busy preparing for one of the biggest New Year's celebrations in the world.
Two million plus revellers are expected to flood Copacabana Beach on the night of December 31 to ring in the New Year and enjoy what has become a legendary fireworks show.On Friday (December 27), local authorities inspected the ferries that will bear the fireworks set to be shot into the sky above Copacabana Beach.
Secretary of Tourism for Rio, Antonio Figueira de Mello and representatives from theNavy and fire department all participated in the routine inspection.
Mello said that the steps were being taken to ensure that the New Year's fireworks display went smoothly.
"It's always a big responsibility and Brazil's Navy is always at our side, performing this survey very cautiously so that we have a very successful event and so that the two million people that will go to Copacabana Beach can enjoy, with total security, the whole party that the city of Rio has prepared for everyone," Mello said.
Twenty one ferries full of fireworks will station themselves along Rio's coast, helping to put on the 16-minute-long light show.
Also on Friday, high-ranking police officers charged with New Year's security met to discuss strategy.
Since a wave of protesting last June saw over a million people take to the streets to demonstrate for social change, Brazil's ability to peacefully maintain security has been under tight scrutiny.
Lieutenant Colonel Ronal Santana said that the local police have the experience and preparations in place to make sure the celebration is a success.
"We have police forces completely ready with 1,522 men that, with certainty, through our evaluation and past experiences, will be able to guarantee a New Year's of peace and happiness people will enjoy," Santana said.
Organizers are also busy putting the final touches on the main Copacabana Beach stage that will offer attendees over 20 different attractions before the night is over.
Some of Brazil's most popular contemporary artists and samba troupes are expected to perform.
The theme of the 2014 Rio New Year's is based around the upcoming animated film 'Rio 2.'"
Event organizer Flavio Machado said that there are some never before seen surprises in store as the fireworks show was designed to incorporate this year's theme.
"The primary news is the partnership with the film 'Rio 2' that we are packaging with the New Year's theme. With this we will have a transmission of the event for all of Brazil,Latin America and the United States. Beyond that, obviously, this theme is going to play a part in the fireworks. The fireworks show will include some fireworks that have never been shot off in any place in the world, but that is a surprise for the 31st," Machado said.