Dubai: An awestruck audience watched as the tallest tower in the world lit up with fireworks at the launch ceremony of the Burj Khalifa.
Thousands of attendees held their hands to their mouths as the fireworks crackling above lit up Dubai's sky, and gasped every time a dramatic stunt was performed.
Many could be seen holding the backs of their necks after looking straight up continuously for half an hour.
Approximately 6,000 invitees to the ceremony watched the launch event below the tower and on massive screens erected specifically for them.
Families and individuals, young and old gathered at the Burj Khalifa Island park, sitting on beanbags and enjoying a meal before the ceremonies started. While some arrived in suits and dresses other were seen lazing in shorts.
The latest addition to Dubai's skyline served as a backdrop for souvenir pictures for the sea of people who were watching from the park and from Dubai Mall.
The event started with the arrival of Shaikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, accompanied by Shaikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Foreign Minister, and other Cabinet members and dignitaries.
People quickly scrambled to their seats upon seeing the shaikhs on the giant screen in anticipation of the event.
Following Shaikh Mohammad's arrival, heads turned to the sky as eight skydivers with parachutes in the colours of the UAE flag came down holding pictures of Shaikh Mohammad and Shaikh Khalifa.
Emiratis and expatriates could be seen wearing scarves in the colours of the UAE flag adorned with pictures of Shaikh Mohammad and Shaikh Khalifa, and some had huge stickers of Shaikh Mohammad on their shirts.
A boy of about six years walked up to a security guard and asked in a Levantine accent if he could meet Shaikh Mohammad as he had never shaken hands with him.
Shaikh Mohammad was sitting close to the audience, in the front row of the seating arrangement before the Dubai Fountain and the giant screen that was set up for the audience to watch the promotional videos and celebrations on.
An attendee, Ramia Al Agamy from Switzeland, said the event was one of "the most memorable" in her life. "I don't think I'll ever forget what I saw here. I can't believe they put they entire world in a tower. You feel very small when you see it but the show certainly elevated us to the heights of this tower."
Humaid M, an Emirati attending the event said: "This isn't just going to make UAE history, but world history."
