Video: The century-old New Year's Eve celebrations at the Times Square in New York City were permeated with a mixture of joy from normality, anxiety of disruptive forces, fulfillment of traditional practices and hope for betterment. (Xinhua)
Heightened security measures and the presence of pro-Palestinian protesters in Manhattan added a sense of anxiety to tens of thousands of spectators in Times Square.
by Xinhua writers Liu Yanan, Xing Yue, Yang Shilong
NEW YORK, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- As the iconic Times Square in New York City geared up for its century-old New Year's Eve celebrations, the atmosphere is a rich tapestry woven with threads of joy, anxiety, honor of heritage, and hope for a better future.
Two and a half years since the end of the New York State emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, life in New York City is back to normal by many indicators.
The counts of pedestrians in the Garment District, a key metric for the iconic fashion district's vibrancy and economic activity, finally exceeded pre-pandemic levels in the week ending Nov. 27 for the first time in four years.
A lively stream of over 3.7 million pedestrians coursed through the heart of the district during the week, 2.1 percent higher than the same week in 2019, according to data issued by The Garment District Alliance.
Joshua Blair, an actor from Indiana, returned to New York City in 2023 following a fleeting stay during the pandemic.
The year 2023 is a year of growth and new opportunities for Blair, who was reading a book in Times Square while waiting for the start of New Year's Eve performances.
"The door is opening ... I just moved to New York City in 2023 to pursue acting. So it's the start of a new chapter," Blair told Xinhua.
"I moved to New York City in March of 2020, right before everything went down. So I had to get out of here, too, along with everybody else. So, I'm back now," said Blair.
Blair said he only lived in New York City for 17 days in 2020 before he was forced out of the city.
It's an absolutely great way to start the year in Times Square, said Blair. He added, "This is the epicenter of New Year's Eve, and there's no place I'd rather be."
"This is my first time in Times Square for New Year's Eve. This has been on my bucket list ever since I was a little child. So I'm doing that little child a favor by showing up tonight," Blair said.
Screens of a building display "Happy New Year" and "2024" in Times Square in New York, the United States, Dec. 31, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Rui)
However, heightened security measures and the presence of pro-Palestinian protesters in Manhattan added a sense of anxiety to tens of thousands of spectators in Times Square.
New York City has witnessed over 400 protests since Oct. 7, 2023, when a new wave of conflict broke out between Israel and Hamas.
Pro-Palestinian protesters have been calling for a ceasefire by intruding on Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, targeting the annual Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center and blocking Manhattan Bridge in New York City.
New York City has mobilized the full complement of the city's public safety apparatus, including canines, horses, drones, helicopters and boats, according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
The New York Police Department expanded the buffer zone around Times Square and allowed spectators to enter in multiple phases. Drones were deployed around the outer perimeter, and helicopters hovered around the area.
Greg Packer, a New Yorker inside the crush of visitors to Times Square, said, "2023 was crazy with protests and mass shootings and just chaos. Hopefully, 2024 can be a better year."
"What 2023 has meant is upsetting the status quo," said Willy Shih, professor of management practice in business administration at Harvard Business School. "Surprising, unexpected and unsettling, 'disruption' kind of says it all to me."
Among the "disruptions," Shih cited events in the Middle East, the dramatic changes in investment and global trade flows, the new style of warfare in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza, a sea-tide shift in climate change investment particularly in the United States as well as generative artificial intelligence, which is capturing the imagination of investors.
"Might not get peace, but I wish for love and happiness," read one of countless New Year's Eve confetti messages in Times Square.
Confetti flies around during the New Year celebrations in Times Square in New York, the United States, Jan. 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Rui)
Moreover, the celebrations in Times Square largely stuck to century-old traditions and continued to attract tens of thousands of people from home and abroad.
The celebrations included 11 live performances and started at 6 p.m. with the Sino-American Friendship Association presenting a Chinese cultural performance titled "Cheers to 2024 with Wuliang Harmony."
Marking the inclusion of Chinese elements in the New Year's Eve celebrations for the 12th consecutive year, the performance blends modern and traditional music and dance to celebrate the upcoming Chinese lunar new year, the Year of the Dragon.
Kari Strobel, a spectator from Switzerland, said the year 2023 was eventful and exciting, having met new people and encountering new experiences during her travels in South America.
"I hope it stays like this year, exciting and eventful," said Strobel.
Samantha Bahamonde, who came from Florida with her sister Camila, said 2023 has been transformative because of her travels.
"I've grown a lot. I've really learned a lot more about myself this year. I spent more time with myself and really getting to know who I am," said Bahamonde.
For Camila, 2023 saw her living in new places and having new experiences.
"Next year, I'm hoping to get my master's (degree) and become a nurse practitioner," Camila added, "but continue traveling around the world and experiencing new cultures." ■
