INDONESIA, HONG KONG HOLD SUBDUED EVENTS
In Indonesia, considered one of Australia’s nearest neighbours, cities scaled again New Yr’s Eve festivities as a gesture of solidarity with communities devastated by catastrophic floods and landslides that struck components of Sumatra island a month in the past, claiming more than 1,100 lives.
The capital, Jakarta, is not going to ring in 2026 with its ordinary fanfare, selecting as an alternative subdued celebrations with a relaxed and reflective program centred on prayers for victims, metropolis Governor Pramono Anung stated final week.
Makassar Mayor Munafri Arifuddin urged residents of considered one of Indonesia’s largest cities to forgo events altogether, calling for prayer and reflection as an alternative. “Empathy and restraint are extra significant than fireworks and crowds,” he stated.
Concert events and fireworks on Indonesia’s vacationer island of Bali have been cancelled and changed with a cultural arts occasion that includes 65 teams performing conventional dances.
Hong Kong, too, will ring in 2026 with out the standard spectacular and vibrant explosions within the sky over its iconic Victoria Harbour, after a massive fire in November killed no less than 161 individuals.
The town’s tourism board will as an alternative host a music present that includes comfortable rock duo Air Provide and different singers in Central, a enterprise district. The facades of eight landmarks will flip into big countdown clocks presenting a three-minute gentle present at midnight.
Many components of Asia welcome the brand new yr by observing age-old traditions.
In Japan, crowds will collect at a Buddhist temple in Tokyo for a bell placing at midnight. Within the South Korean capital Seoul, a bell tolling and a countdown ceremony can be held on the Bosingak Pavilion.
