PHOTO // Moldova sets Guinness world record with world's largest human grapevine

Moldova today entered the Guinness World Records with the largest human representation of a grapevine. The record was set on the Great National Assembly Square (PMAN) from Chisinau, during the 25th edition of the National Wine Day.

A total of 493 people came together to form the image of a grapevine in an event held in the center of the capital. The record was officially confirmed during the event by Pravin Patel, a Guinness World Records adjudicator.

The human representation was approximately 39 meters long and included the roots, trunk, branches, six bunches of grapes, six leaves and several tendrils. The participants were assigned positions in advance, while the elements of the grapevine were differentiated by the colors of their clothing, so that the image could be clearly recognized from the air.

For approximately 15 minutes, the participants remained in the designated formation, while the Guinness World Records adjudicator verified compliance with the criteria required for the record to be officially recognized. The number of participants was monitored through the official Guinness app, with each person registered individually and identified by scanning a QR code, in order to prevent double counting.

According to Pravin Patel, at least 250 people were required for this record, while 493 people were officially counted in the formation created in Chisinau. The Guinness representative noted that not only the number of participants was important, but also compliance with strict rules regarding the shape, positioning, and recognition of the image from above.

Preparations for the record attempt began several days earlier. Approximately 740 people gathered at the general rehearsal held on September 28 on the PMAN. The participants practiced positioning themselves for each element of the grapevine and the synchronization required to create the final image.

The idea for the record was announced by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry in September as part of the schedule for the 25th edition of National Wine Day. At the time, the ministry said that it would be the first attempt to form a human grapevine for a Guinness World Record.

Before the event, Stefan Iamandi, director of the National Office for Vine and Wine, said that the grapevine would become a symbolic image of the anniversary edition, created by people and documented from the air as well. The initiative was linked to this year's slogan for the celebration – ‘’The Wine That Unites Us”.

The record was set on the first day of the 25th edition of National Wine Day, an event organized on October 3–4 on the Great National Assembly Square. The anniversary edition brings together 114 wineries, including 49 small producers and features tastings, activities organized by the Wine School, concerts and events dedicated to wine culture.

For Moldova, the record comes in an anniversary year for National Wine Day, a celebration established in 2002. Over its 25 editions, the event has evolved into a platform for promoting Moldovan wine, wine culture and wine tourism.

The image formed today in the center of Chisinau brought together in a single representation the essential elements of a grapevine – roots, trunk, branches, leaves and bunches of grapes – and was entered into the Guinness World Records as the world's largest human representation of a grapevine.