BROOM FOR ONE MORE!
HARRY POTTER FANS AROUND THE WORLD FLYING HIGH AS THEY SET VIRTUAL QUIDDITCH WORLD RECORD
Harry Potter fans from around the world set new Guinness World Records™ title as part of a global Quidditch celebration
- Participants from over 40 countries, across 6 continents, set the record for Most People to Simultaneously Board a Broom Online
- Celebrates upcoming release of ‘Quidditch Through the Ages Illustrated Edition’
2nd SEPTEMBER, LONDON – Harry Potter fans from 40 countries – with all continents, except Antarctica, represented – have united online to celebrate the boy wizard’s favourite sport, Quidditch, and set a new Guinness World Records™ title.
Hundreds of wannabe witches and wizards from countries including Australia, India, Spain, Canada, France, [the] Czech Republic, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong, Brazil, South Africa, Oman, [the] USA, Philippines and the UK were flying high as they took part in the mass online Quidditch record to highlight the forthcoming publication of Quidditch Through the Ages, written by J.K. Rowling and illustrated by Emily Gravett. The event took place on the date of the Quidditch World Cup, highlighted in the book.
Participants took to computers, laptops, phones and tablets, as they swept aside all opposition to set the record for the Most People to Simultaneously Board a Broom Online.
The attempt has today been verified by Guinness World Records, with the official number of simultaneous households joining totalling 133, made up of nearly 300 Harry Potter fans ranging from age five to seventy-five, many of whom wore Hogwarts robes for the record attempt at noon BST.
With a Quidditch team consisting of seven players, the record was the equivalent of forty teams joining forces to take part. For many of these honorary team members, being involved in a Harry Potter-based World Record was a dream come true.
A spokesperson from Bloomsbury Publishing said: “We’re thrilled that so many people took the time to take part in this successful Guinness World Records attempt. It’s wonderful that during this challenging time video sharing platforms allow fans to come together and celebrate in new and unique ways.
["]To have so many people from a wide range of countries take to their brooms demonstrates the passion that
Harry Potter fans have and the popularity of Quidditch.”
Silvia Gimeno, 23, from Zaragoza in Spain, said: “Taking part in the World Record was one of the best experiences of this year. It hasn’t been an easy year, but with magic, a broom and a world record, it has definitely improved!”
Sarah Simankowicz, 37, from Brisbane, Australia, said: “I’ve never been part of a Guinness World Records attempt before, and it was so fun to not only share the experiences with my best friend but also with fellow fans from all around the world.”
Eloise Willis-Hardy, 25, from Melbourne in Australia said: “I’m so happy to have broken a Harry Potter world record! We’re in a second lockdown here in Melbourne, so this record came as welcome relief, and it’s been great to gather with all the Harry Potter fans for the Quidditch match of a lifetime.”
Chandni Pradeep, 22, from Kerala, India said: “It has been quite difficult practising Quidditch in a [M]uggle neighbourhood. But anything for the record, eh!”
Mia Stasic, 11, from Nottingham said: “I’ve been practicing my brooms skills all week after borrowing the broom from my mum! We’ve all [been] doing lots of family and school video calls during lockdown, so it’s great to put the skills to good use and set a World Record!”
The official attempt took place at midday (BST), as the hopefuls gathered with their Nimbus 2000s, dusty old wooden bulldozers and household mops at the ready. Following a rigorous assessment of the evidence by Guinness World Records, the attempt was declared a success, and the fans leapt from their brooms in celebration.
The world record was staged in celebration of Quidditch Through the Ages Illustrated Edition, the ultimate compendium of Harry Potter’s favourite sport, featuring the showstopping artwork of Emily Gravett, who has conjured a cornucopia of sporting memorabilia to surprise and delight, perfectly paired with J.K. Rowling’s writing and humorous insights into the magical airborne sport.
Quidditch Through the Ages Illustrated Edition, written by J.K. Rowling and illustrated by Emily Gravett, is published in hardback on 6th October 2020 by Bloomsbury Publishing, in aid of Comic Relief and Lumos.
Published in hardback on 6th October 2020 (£25:00 / 160pp / 9781526608123)
Deluxe edition also available (£120.00 / 160pp / 9781526612373)
