SYDNEY, Dec. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Broadcast quality footage and high-res images available to download here:

http://medianet.multimediarelease.com.au/bundles/7a2c5c52-5cc0-40e3-a1bb-7c08f39a3467

2009 Sydney New Year's Eve will burst into colour with another unrivalled fireworks show, a parade of decorated sailing boats around the Sydney Opera House and 1.5 million people wearing a touch of blue.

"Sydney is the New Year's Eve capital of the world with the largest and most technologically advanced fireworks display with bigger crowds than London, New York, Paris or Berlin," said Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP.

"We are the first major city to greet 2010 and are planning another fantastic free celebration for the 1.5 million people who will gather around our iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge and harbour foreshore. A third of them, are overseas travellers who we welcome each year for Sydney New Year's Eve."

This year the theme Awaken the Spirit will be projected onto the pylons of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the 13 different languages of Sydney's top migrant populations and tourist visitors. Arabic, Cantonese, French, Greek, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Russian, Samoan, Spanish, Dutch, Vietnamese and Swahili, all join English and the ancient Indigenous language Gadigal to welcome in the New Year.

"As a Bundjalung woman my Aboriginal ancestors believe we need to gather and Awaken the Spirit each year. New Year's Eve is much the same, it's a time of excitement and new beginnings," said Sydney New Year's Eve Creative Director Rhoda Roberts who came up with the theme.

"I think Sydney's spirit is reflected by the colour blue, it's soulful, sexy, sophisticated and blue is the colour of our stunning harbour and summer sky. So this year, we're asking everyone to wear their own touch of blue and celebrate Sydney's great spirit of life!"

Four Indigenous vessels will conduct a traditional smoking ceremony to cleanse the Harbour whilst sailing around the Sydney Opera House.

The event features both the 9pm Family Fireworks and the Midnight firework displays bringing the city alive with an atmosphere and experience for spectators gathered around Sydney Harbour. For the first time in Australia, Foti International Fireworks will use microchip fireworks and new pyrotechnic effects to create spectacular patterns and designs with more control and precision.

More information about 2009 Sydney New Year's Eve and high res images:

http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nye/2009/Press/default.asp

A short video about 2009 Sydney New Year's Eve:

http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/nye/2009/Gallery/Video.asp

The official charity for 2009 Sydney New Year's Eve is the Australian Conservation Foundation. For more information and inspiration, and to make your Green Leaf commitment visit www.newgreenleaf.com.

The event is powered by Green Power.

Sydney New Year's Eve 2009 is proudly sponsored by 2DayFM, The Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, DonateLife(TM), Bytecraft Entertainment, Roads & Traffic Authority, Royal Australian Navy, NSW Maritime, Sydney Opera House Trust, Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Galliano, Coca-Cola Amatil [Aust] Pty Ltd, Carlton & United Breweries, Philip Shaw Wines, Sydney Ports Corporation and Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water.

2009 Sydney New Year's Eve is part of Vivacity.

Kicking off with the spectacular 2009 Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks, the celebrations continue with Sydney Festival, including Festival First Night and the not to be missed AR Rahman concert at Parramatta Park, the Eliasson exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art, the prestigious Medibank International Sydney tennis and Australia Day. To make the most of your New Year in Sydney visit www.vivacitysydney.com.

    CONTACT:
    Leanne Lincoln
    llincoln@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
    or +612 9265 9910

SOURCE City of Sydney

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