No fireworks in the fair city of Mechelen this year, but the good folk of this Antwerp town and their visitors will be treated to an unforgettable light show created using drones. Focus of the light show organised by ‘Mechelen Feest’ (Mechelen Parties) is the city’s historic market square at the foot of the St Rombout’s Tower.
150 drones to produce ‘unforgettable’ light show in Mechelen on New Year’s Eve
Colin Clapson
Published:
It's the first time the people of Mechelen will ring in the new without fireworks, but the city fathers don’t expect anybody to be disappointed.
“A light show with 150 drones will provide a spectacle that is tailormade for our city” explains Mechelen Feest chair Kristof Calvo. “There will be appropriate music and the show will last for quite a while!”
Mechelen Feest says it wants to surprise the people of Mechelen and show them something they have never seen before. The drone show should also be safer than one with fireworks. Mechelen is marking the opening of the Europalia cultural festival on 6 January and a tent has already been erected on the market square. Fireworks could be dangerous.
In addition to the light show DJs have been enlisted to create a real party atmosphere, at least till 3AM.
The city authorities are asking any residents firing off their own fireworks to use low-noise fireworks. Fireworks are banned in the vicinity of the local animal shelter.