The traditional celebrations, in particular the descent of the luminous and sparkling ball, were able to take place for the transition to the year 2023, after two editions thwarted by the health crisis.
The United States is among the last countries to change the year. As it was 6 a.m. in France, New York City entered the year 2023. Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to Time Square to watch the celebrations.
The traditional luminous ball began to descend slowly from 11:59 p.m. to land at midnight sharp from the mast of One Times Square, a 25-story building. The ball’s surface is made up of nearly 2,700 Waterford crystals which officials said were illuminated with a palette of more than 16 million colors, reports The Guardian.
Countdown and confetti
A giant countdown clock was displayed on the building. At the stroke of midnight, a ton of confetti fell on onlookers and revelers, twinkling in the middle of the giant screens and neon lights of the famous New York district.
Two years in a row, the event had been disrupted by the health crisis and the Covid-19 epidemic. For the transition to the year 2022, only 15,000 spectators were present, while on average, 750,000 people gather in the square each year.
The annual event is also broadcast live by numerous television channels and is watched by millions of viewers.
Two New York City officers were rushed to hospital after an altercation with a machete-wielding man a few blocks from the crowd, reports AP.
