Berlin rings in New Year with fest and fireworks (Roundup)

Jan 1, 2008, 0:28 GMT

Berlin - One million revellers, many from outside Germany, rang in the new year in Berlin early Tuesday with a street party at the Brandenburg Gate, gazing in wonder at a dramatic 10-minute fireworks show begun at midnight.

Police said there was no violence and organizers took no chances, banning all glasses and bottles in the gated, 2,000-metre-long party zone. Instead, the partygoers bumped paper cups of bubbly with one another as they wished good fortune in 2008.

'You know, it's really special to me to be celebrating this in Berlin,' said Vanessa Koenig, 17, who had travelled 200 kilometres from provincial Germany to be there for the magic moment.

Many spent the first moments of the new year thumbing text messages into mobile phones, to be sent to friends and relations, as 500 kilograms of fireworks were shot into the air over their heads by pyrotechnicians using the latest radio controls.

Fairground rides, eight dance tents and pop acts occupying three outdoor sound stages had wound up the crowd for six hours, with late arrivals turned away by security guards from 10 pm after the zone was declared full.

In its 13th year, the all-night free event has developed into a tradition. It is held on a broad avenue from the Gate, a triumphal arch erected by the kings of Prussia, to the Victory Column, a 19th century tower made of captured enemy cannons.

The top concert spots went to US singer Lutricia McNeal and two local bands, Monrose and Room 2012, which were originally formed from successful entrants to the German version of the TV talent show Popstars.