Upbeat493 people stand still in a square — and become a grapevine
In Chisinau's Great National Assembly Square, 493 Moldovans took their marks and held still for about 15 minutes — long enough for a Guinness World Records adjudicator to confirm they had formed the world's largest human image of a grapevine. The formation, some 39 metres long, had roots, a trunk, branches, six grape clusters, six leaves and curling tendrils, each element picked out by clothing colour and every participant individually registered, positioned and counted by QR code against more than 30 technical criteria. The record crowned the 25th edition of National Wine Day, Moldova's flagship celebration of its winemaking heritage, which this year drew 114 wineries and visitors from more than 70 countries. 'United by Wine' was the anniversary theme; for one autumn morning, the country quite literally stood together as its symbol.