Peru Breaks Guinness World Record For Largest Group Hug
Created: 2012-02-16 00:20 EST
Category: World > South America
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On Tuesday over 10 thousand Peruvians in the town of Ayacucho broke the Guinness World Record for the largest group hug.
The representative for Guinness World Records in Latin America, Ralph Hannah, was on hand to officiate.
The group huggers erupted into cheers and celebrations when Hannah confirmed they had been successful in their special Valentine's Day challenge.
[Ralph Hannah, Representative for Guinness World Records in Latin America]:
"Today, in 2012, we have 10,340 people setting a new world record for Ayacucho.”
Local mayor, Amilcar Huancahuari, addressed the elated crowd.
[Amilcar Huancahuari, Local Mayor]:
"We have managed to break a Guinness World Record.”
Ayacucho, in the Huamanga province, is often associated with its violent past, as it was the base for the Shining Path guerilla group in the 1980s.
Residents used the event to show the world that they have moved on.
[Amilcar Huancahuari, Local Mayor]:
"It is about showing that Ayacucho is a not about violence, but about peace, about brotherhood, where we all have a desire to solve our problems by talking, with friendship, harmony and joy.”
The success was celebrated with traditional Peruvian dancing.
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