Droneshow Oud en Nieuw

The transition from 2020 to 2021 could not be celebrated in the usual way, with fireworks around the Erasmus Bridge. The pandemic made gathering impossible — precisely at a time when people needed connection the most. To keep spirits high, it became all the more important to welcome the new year with positivity and hope.

That connection happened through television and computer screens, as everyone watched the spectacular drone show by Studio Drift — recorded earlier that month in complete silence and utmost secrecy.

Drones in Rotterdam

On May 5th, despite all the restrictions caused by the pandemic, Liberation Day was still celebrated with an impressive drone show above the Erasmus Bridge. The event was not announced beforehand, as no audience was allowed, yet it was seen everywhere — on television and across all forms of social media, where images of the heartwarming show quickly spread.

In the same spirit, the transition from the old year to the new one was celebrated — safely and without pollution, replacing fireworks with a spectacle that was just as breathtaking.

Mothership, Drone Light Labs, the Municipality of Rotterdam, and Rotterdam Festivals collaborated on this uplifting drone show to welcome the new year. The show followed a narrative structure and was performed and filmed over several nights across the city. The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra provided the accompanying music, bringing the visual story to life.

The film was broadcast on television and also made available on YouTube.

In 2020, life revolved around isolation and the realities of social distancing. This show served as a prelude to the sense of togetherness and social connection that everyone hoped to rediscover in 2021.