On Friday 9 May 2008, over 1,000 individuals gathered at Sportek Park in Tel Aviv, Israel, to participate in setting a new Guinness World Record for the largest dance by couples. The attempt, which was part of a larger event to commemorate the 60th year of Israel’s independence, could not have taken place on a better day: the sun was shining and people were happy to participate in an attempt that demonstrated the spirit of the community.The organisers of the event, Eddy Hassid and Gadi Bitton, had spent over six months planning and preparing this large-scale event. It was essential that all individuals were versed in the specific steps of the Israeli folk dances that they would be performing, as Guinness World Records adjudicator Mariamarta Ruano-Graham would be checking to see that all couples adhered to them.
At precisely 3:45 p.m., Gadi Bitton gave the signal to Yehoram Gaon – one of Israel’s most prominent singers – to start his performance, at which time all couples began dancing, using the steps they had learned. It was truly an exceptional sight to see 552 couples dancing simultaneously!
The dance lasted for 30 minutes, after which Mariamarta Ruano-Graham took to the stage to present Eddy Hassid and Gadi Bitton with their certificate for setting a new Guinness World Record. Champagne was opened and the celebrations began, at which point Mr Hassid announced, “We shall see Guinness World Records again in July – I am already planning the next one!”
Source : Guinness World Record
