TALL MEETS SMALL AT MEGAMALL

ISTANBUL, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the world's tallest man, 8 ft 1 in (246.5 cm) Sultan Kosen, will welcome the shortest man in the world, 2 ft 5.37 in (74.61 cm) He Pingping, to his native Turkey to celebrate the 15 January opening of the new Guinness World Records Live! Roadshow at Forum Istanbul.

The momentous first-ever meeting between the world's tallest and shortest will take place inside the Forum Istanbul shopping centre, where the two famous record holders will be given a chance to experience the Guinness World Records Live! Roadshow before it opens to the public the next day.

Developed by Europe's leading retail real estate developer, Multi Corporation, Forum Istanbul recently opened in Turkey and is the largest shopping mall in Europe. Sultan's and Pingping's meeting will kick off six weeks of record-breaking at Forum Istanbul where members of the public can attempt 50 different records at the Guinness World Records Live! Roadshow inside the mall.

Director Marketing & Communications for MULTI, Mark Cunningham, said: "We are delighted to launch the very first Guinness World Records Live! Roadshow at Forum Istanbul and present the world's most recognizable record holders with an opportunity to meet face to face."

Sultan Kosen was announced the tallest man in the world by Guinness World Records last September and though he has enjoyed travelling the world as a result of his newfound fame, he is very happy to be back in Turkey and proud to host Pingping and show him around historical Istanbul on his first visit to the country.

Kosen said: "I've wanted to meet Pingping ever since I was awarded the title 'tallest man' and I'm really happy that he was willing to travel to Turkey so we could both take part in the launch celebration of Guinness World Records Live! at Forum Istanbul – I can't wait to show him around our beautiful city."

The Guinness World Records Live! Roadshow at Forum Istanbul will be open to the public from Friday to Sunday for six consecutive weeks, starting on 15 January, before moving on to seven other locations, including Trabzon, Ankara, Nevsehir, Denizli, Aydin, Izmir and Mersin, for a total of 23 weeks.

Guinness World Records Live! Senior Producer, Paul O'Neill, said: "I'm very excited to see our Roadshow bring the fun of record-breaking to an audience of a million people across Turkey. It'll be like a rock tour of record challenges ...without the bad language."

Notes to Editor:

• The Guinness World Records Live! Roadshow will tour the following locations and dates:

• Forum Istanbul (Istanbul): Six weekends, 15 January – 16 February

• Forum Trabzon (Trabzon): Three weekends, 23 February – 8 March

• Forum Ankara (Ankara): Three weekends, 16 March – 1 April

• Forum Kapadokya (Nevsehir): Two weekends, 8 April – 16 April

• Forum  Camlik (Denizli): Two weekends, 23 April – 1 May

• Forum Aydın (Aydin): Two weekends, 8 May – 16 May

• Forum Bornova (Izmir): Two weekends, 23 May – 1 June

• Forum Mersin (Mersin): Three weekends, 4 June – 23 June

• Sultan Kosen

Turkish Sultan Kosen (27) was announced the world's tallest man by Guinness World Records in September 2009. At 2.465 m (8 ft 1 in), Kosen seized the title from China's Bao Xishun who stands 2.361 m (7 ft 8.95 in) tall. Kosen is also the current Guinness World Records holder of 'largest hands' and 'largest feet', measuring 27.5 cm and 36.5 cm respectively. Born and raised in the Mardin province of Turkey, Kosen's height is due to a condition known as pituitary gigantism. After a series of surgeries to remove the tumor which was causing his excess growth, Kosen stopped growing in 2008.

• He Pingping

21-year old He Pingping is the world's smallest mobile man. Pingping measures 74.61 cm (2 ft 5.37 in) and lives with his family in Inner Mongolia, China. In September 2008, Guinness World Records invited him to celebrate the launch of the Guinness World Records 2009 edition and meet Svetlana Pankratova, the woman with the world's longest legs. Pingping was born with a condition known as Primordial Dwarfism (PD) and according to his dad, at birth he was small enough to fit into the palm of his parent's hand.

About Guinness World Records Live!

Guinness World Records Live! is a brand new, dynamic business area of the global Guinness World Records™ brand, which takes the magic of record-breaking straight to the fingertips of the public in an interactive, entertaining and accessible fashion. First developed in Dubai, the Guinness World Records interactive experience involves creating an environment where the public can attempt records and become genuine record holders instantaneously. Guinness World Records Live! can be set up in various places such as shopping malls, resorts, or theatres; or as a touring road show, mobile marketing campaign or corporate adjudication night. The mission is to entertain, educate and inspire people through a live Guinness World Records experience; and to celebrate ordinary people achieving extraordinary feats.

About Guinness World Records

Guinness World Records is the universally recognized authority on record-breaking achievement. First published in 1955, the annual Guinness World Records book is published in more than 100 countries and 25 languages and is the highest-selling books under copyright of all time with more than 3 million copies sold annually across the globe. Guinness World Records celebrated its 50th anniversary edition in 2004, a year after the sale of its 100 millionth copy. Guinness World Records also annually publishes the Gamer's Edition; a records book devoted solely to the world of computer gaming and high score record achievements. The Guinness World Records website (www.guinnessworldrecords.com) receives more than 11 million visitors a year. Guinness World Records is part of the Jim Pattison Group, one of Canada's largest privately owned companies which is a conglomerate of interests, including advertising, broadcasting, grocery stores and automotive retailing.

About Multi Corporation

Multi Corporation is the leading commercial developer of inner-city retail space in Europe. Multi invests in, develops and manages large-scale mixed-use shopping centers and inner-city regeneration projects that are innovative, unique, sustainable and appealing. Multi's "Design & Development" formula focuses on outstanding design and quality. Multi's projects are, since 1982, internationally recognized and awarded for their innovative and original nature, quality of architectural character, sustainability and profound sensitivity to local environments. Multi developments regularly act as the engine for revitalizing a city or region. By respecting the uniqueness of the local culture and market, Multi's projects captivate people by enhancing their surroundings. Multi is active in 14 countries, with the head office in the Netherlands and offices in Belgium, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Poland, Switzerland, Slovakia, Ukraine and Turkey. Fore more information on Multi Corporation, visit www.multi.eu or contact Mark Cunningham, Director of Marketing & Communications, on phone: +31 (0) 182 690 900, mobile: +31 612 497332, or email: [email protected]

About Forum Istanbul

Forum Istanbul is the largest shopping mall in Europe comprising 265 national and international brands on 175,000 square meters of retail space. Developed by leading European real estate development corporation Multi Turkmall, Forum Istanbul opened its doors to the public on 17 November 2009 and employs a workforce of 5,000 people with a forecasted 25 million visitors and a 500 million Euro turnover per year. Ready to make way for a new life in Istanbul through its original architectural design and abiding works of art, Forum Istanbul offers more than just a shopping experience. The family-friendly mall is set to play an intricate role in the cultural, artistic, entertainment and social life of Istanbul through national and international exhibits, music performances and events. Forum Istanbul Shopping and Living Center is located in Bayrampasa at the junction of the E5 and TEM freeways.

SOURCE Guinness World Records