More than 100,000 spectators gathered in London on Monday evening to watch Europe’s largest annual firework display as the world welcomed the new year with a series of spectacular celebrations.
With less than three months until Britain leaves the EU, London mayor Sadiq Khan said the display showed Europe that the capital will remain open-minded and outward looking post-Brexit.
Big Ben returned to action to kick off the sold-out show Europe’s largest annual firework display after a year of renovation works.
As London’s landmark clock tower chimed, 70,000 projectiles made up of 12,000 fireworks lit up the sky above the capital in an occasion Mr Khan hoped would “send a message of support” to the more than one million European citizens who call the city their home.
The words London is open were spoken in seven languages as the capital welcomed in 2019 with a dazzling riverside fireworks display.
Mr Khan spoke the adage in English around two minutes into the new year, which was then uttered in Spanish, Polish, French, Romanian, German and Italian.