In pictures: from Paris to Seoul – how the world welcomes 2023

The world welcomed the New Year with a thumping party in Times Square and fireworks over European capitals, while anticipating an end to the war in Ukraine and a return to post-COVID normal in Asia.

It was a year marked by conflict in Ukraine, economic stress and the effects of global warming. But it was also a year that saw a dramatic football World Cup, rapid technological change and efforts to meet climate challenges.

People take pictures of the first sunrise of the year at a park in Seoul, South Korea.

As 2023 arrives in Asia, Africa and Europe, New Yorkers ushered in the New Year in typical style as thousands huddled in pens amid heavy rain in Times Square, waiting for hours for the ball to drop . A 12-foot (3.7-metre) geodesic sphere made of Waterford crystal triangles slid down from a pole atop a 25-storey building to mark the calendar change.

Meanwhile, millions of people watched the musical acts and the countdown on TV from dry and warm living rooms around the world.

Fireworks explode during New Year’s celebrations at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Tommy Onolfo, 40, a mechanic in nearby Nassau County, said he wore a diaper while getting wet during a 14-hour wait in Times Square because of safety measures for spectators to maintain a front-row view of all amenities. Have to be deprived of facilities.

“I’m a lifeguard in the summer, so I’m not afraid of the water at all,” Onolfo said. “I have my bathroom down to science. I haven’t had to use a diaper yet. It’s just in case.”

Earlier, across the Atlantic, the London Eye turned blue and yellow in solidarity with Ukraine as fireworks were lit at midnight in the British capital.

The celebration, which the mayor of London branded the biggest in Europe, also referenced Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September, the red and white of the England football team, and the rainbow colors of the LGBTQ Pride event, which has 50 It was the anniversary of the year. In 2022.

seriousness in ukraine

For Ukraine, it seemed there was no end in sight to the fighting that began after Russia’s invasion in February.

Multiple explosions were heard in Kyiv and other places around Ukraine, and air raid sirens sounded across the country in the early hours of New Year’s Day.

Fireworks over the Chao Phraya River during New Year celebrations in Bangkok, Thailand.

On Saturday, Russia fired a barrage of cruise missiles in what Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman described as “New Year’s Eve terror”.

Evening curfew remained in place across the country, making it impossible to celebrate the start of 2023 in many public places. Several regional governors posted messages on social media warning residents not to break the restrictions.

However, in Kyiv, as midnight approaches, people gather around the city’s central Christmas tree.

“We’re not giving up. They can’t ruin our celebration,” said Yarina, 36, who was draped in glitter and fairy lights with her husband.

In a video message to mark the new year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Time Magazine’s 2022 Person of the Year, said: “I want to wish us all one thing – victory.”

Fireworks are lit behind the Brandenburg Gate ahead of the New Year in Berlin, Germany.

Russian President Vladimir Putin dedicated his New Year’s address to rallying the Russian people behind his troops.

Celebrations in Moscow were muted, without the usual fireworks over Red Square.

“One should not pretend that nothing is happening – our people (in Ukraine) are dying,” said 68-year-old Yelena Popova. “A holiday to be celebrated, but there must be limits.” Many Muscovites said they hoped for peace in 2023.

Elsewhere in Europe, fireworks flashed over the Parthenon in Athens, the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, where crowds gathered on the Champs-Élysées avenue to watch the French capital’s first New Year’s fireworks display since 2019.

But, like many places, the Czech capital Prague was feeling the financial crisis and therefore did not hold a fireworks display.

“It doesn’t seem appropriate to celebrate,” City Hall spokesman Witt Hoffman said.

COVID dampens the party in China

Earlier, Australia kicked off celebrations with its first restriction-free New Year’s Eve after two years of COVID disruptions. Sydney welcomed the New Year in particular with a dazzling fireworks display, which featured a rainbow cascade from the Harbor Bridge for the first time.

In China, harsh COVID restrictions were only lifted in December after the government abruptly reversed its “zero-Covid” policy, a switch that led to a spike in infections and meant some people were in no mood to celebrate .

While China’s official tolls are barely ticking over, UK-based health data firm Airfinity estimated last week that around 9,000 people in the country are possibly dying of COVID each day.

Fireworks explode during New Year’s celebrations at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

“This virus must settle down and die, this year I can’t believe I can’t even find a healthy friend,” wrote one social media user based in eastern Shandong province.

But in the city of Wuhan, where the pandemic began three years ago, thousands gathered despite a heavy security presence.

Barricades were set up and hundreds of police officers stood guard. A message was broadcast over loudspeakers advising people not to assemble. But the huge crowd of revelers paid no heed.

In Shanghai, many people flocked to the Bund, the historic riverside walkway.

“We all traveled from Chengdu to celebrate in Shanghai,” said Da Dai, a 28-year-old digital media executive. “We already have COVID, so now feel it’s safe to enjoy yourself.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)