New York marks 25th anniversary of 9/11 with drone tribute recreating twin towers

New York honoured the victims of the September 11 attacks with a striking drone light show over New York Harbour on Wednesday night, recreating the Twin Towers using 2,977 illuminated drones, one for each person killed in the attacks.

Titled “2,977 lights over New York Harbour,” the display saw the lights rise over the Hudson River before assembling into the outline of the Twin Towers at full architectural scale. The free public event took place two days before Friday’s 25th anniversary observance.

The organisers claimed that the artwork was produced in consultation with the members of the 9/11 community, such as families of the victims, survivors, and first responders. These include: Brenda Berkman, who is an FDNY first responder and artist; Terry Strada, the President of 9/11 Families United; and Jim Smith, whose wife, NYPD Officer Moira Smith, died in the attack.

It served as an add-on to the already existing “Tribute in Light” installation, which involves 88 vertical searchlights positioned in two columns symbolising the towers.

Berkman said: “Like the landscape of New York City, memory and understanding of history are also shaped by and reflect constant change. But art can help convey information, feelings, and understanding of past events from one generation to the next.”

According to Berkman, one hundred million Americans are too young to remember 9/11; thus, there is hope that this will be educational for the future generation.

The commemoration ceremony comes in the wake of the political controversy, as New York’s first Muslim mayor Zohran Mamdani is criticised for appointing Ramzi Kassem as the chief legal counsel. Mamdani said that the week must be devoted to the families and first responders.