Palestinian Children Break World Record

This event, which took place on a beach close to the city of Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip, was organized by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) as part of the Summer Games program. The Summer Games Program is designed to provide Palestinian youth in the Gaza Strip with arts and crafts activities, festivals, and Arabic and math education during the summer months.

This kite festival was an attempt to break the previous Guinness World Record for kite flying. By all accounts, the previous record was broken by this event, where as many as 5,000 kites took to the sky. The previous record was less than 1,000 and was set in Germany in 2008.

Guinness did not send an official to confirm the total numbers, but reportedly let UN officials know how to make an official count. UNRWA official, John Ging said he hoped to have the materials gathered soon to send to Guinness.

This inspiring and symbolic event, he said, was “an expression of the demand for liberty from these children.” It is a true testament to the resilience of Palestinian youth. It has also been triumphed as a display of hope, echoing the message of the Summer Games Program.

Here is a video from the event.