Thousands of twinkling paper lanterns looked like extra stars in the night sky as they floated high above Jakarta on Saturday night, as a group of Indonesians attempted to break a new world record.The 10,000 lanterns were launched by thousands of locals who had gathered on Carnaval Beach in the Indonesian capital in an attempt to get themselves into the Guinness Book of World records.
Representatives from Guinness World Records were on hand to witness the picturesque sight of the paper structures, a candle lighting up the inside of each one, float gently into the clear night sky.
The exact number of the white paper lanterns that flew above Carnaval Beach was to be determined later today after Guinness World Records officials figured out how many each of the 7,000 participants launched. However, it was apparent that the previous mark of 3,682 set in Colombia last January had been shattered.
Officials have already presented the participants with certificates stating that a world record was set for flying the most sky lanterns simultaneously, Guinness adjudicator Lucia Sinigagliesi said.
With the night unusually clear and still for the early weeks of Indonesia's rainy season, the crowd cheered as each of the fragile, glowing paper balloons took to the sky.
The flying lantern is a Chinese tradition. It is essentially a paper bag with a block of paraffin with a wick suspended by wire across the opening. The lantern lifts when the wick is lit, warming the air inside like a hot air balloon.
Freedom Faithnet Global said it organized the lantern release as a symbol of hope and prayer as part of annual celebrations. This year's celebrations have an environmental focus.
The world record for the most sky lanterns ever flown simultaneously, was broken in Indonesia at the weekend, with more than ten-thousand paper lanterns sent up into the night sky Please see exclusive Youtube video