Drum festival rolls out a world record beat

More than 3,000 perform simultaneously in Victoria Park in an event to help lift HK spirits

More than 3,000 drummers set the world record for striking Chinese drums simultaneously in Victoria Park yesterday.

The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, which organised the event, also set the record with the debut of the world's biggest peace drum.

The government announced it was sponsoring the building of the giant drum in May to help Hong Kong bounce back from the Sars virus, saying the instrument symbolised the 'rebirth' of the city after the deadly virus had been controlled.

The drum, which was made in Shenzhen, measures 2.6 metres high and 3.46 metres wide. Previously the world's largest was the Ireland Millennium Drum, which has a diameter of 4.72 metres and is 1.01 metres deep.

Yan Huichang, the orchestra's music director, conducted more than 3,000 drummers comprising his group members, the Song Shan Shaolin Temple Wushu Performing Delegation and people from various organisations and schools in Hong Kong. The orchestra is hoping to have its achievements recognised by Guinness World Records.