Regents Street, London A new Guinness World Record has been established by the Spanish Tourist Board, the Andalucía Tourist Board, the Regents Street Association and the essential help of 456 passionate and hugely enthusiastic dancers for the “Largest Sevillanas Dance”.The record attempt was part of a 2 week festival of music, dance and food, 'The Taste of Spain', to celebrate Spanish culture in the UK and to promote English tourism in Spain.The event was attended by the Major of Westminster,two MC's, 3 bands over two stages, professional and amateur dancers, national and international media and many Regent Street visitors. Guinness World Records adjudicator Nadine Causey was on hand to verify that all guidelines where adhered to at the commencement of the event.
The day itself started in true UK bank holiday style with torrential rain, wind and cold. Regent Street at 10.30 am was quiet and grey, with road sweepers moving water rather than rubbish! Although over700 dancers had pre registered attendance for the attempt, (the guidelines having set a 200 dancer minimum)it was hard to believe anyone would turn out.
But still they came. By 12.00pm as Regents Street was being closed off to traffic, the registration area was full of dancers, many in full traditional costume. The rain cleared and the sun tried valiantly to come through. Weather, however, was ignored and as soon as the bands started to play, the dancers began dancing in the street and on the stages and carried on until well after the record was achieved. It was then that the Guinness World Record adjudicator presented the Spanish Tourist Board with a certificate commemorating this achievement.
