Largest cork mosaic
Albanian artist Saimir Strati unveiled what has been officially declared as his third Guinness World Record on 4 September 2008, for the largest cork mosaic.
On 8 August Mr. Strati began his most recent challenge, working during 14 hours a day during 27 days in the gardens of the Sheraton Tirana Hotel and Towers.
On 4 September, with the presence of a Guinness World Records adjudicator and hundreds of guests, Mr. Strati unveiled the mosaic which depicted the theme “Mediterranean”. Measuring 91.87 m² (988 ft²) and made of 229,675 bottle corks, it was immediately proclaimed as the new Guinness World Record for the largest cork mosaic.
This allegory of the life around the Mediterranean was accompanied by an exhibition of both previous Guinness World Records: The largest toothpick mosaic and the largest nail mosaic, as well as by seven other mosaic artworks, including 'The Four Seasons', 'Peace' and 'The King'.
During the completion of this artwork on August 20, players from the Liechtenstein National Football Team, in Albania for a friendly match, visited the exhibition. On August 26, Icelandic Prime Minister Geir Haarde visited the works in progress accompanied by the Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha.
On September 1, for the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the Albanian Royal Family, Prince Leka of Albania visited the construction of the mosaic. The Albanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Lulzim Basha visited the mosaic on several occasions during its 27 days of completion.
Finally, on 4 September, after the unveiling of the mosaic and the taking of the final measurements, Guinness World Records adjudicator, Carlos Martínez declared what has become an annual tradition for Mr. Saimir Strati and the country of Albania, that a new Guinness World Record had been set.
Mr. Strati declared after the award ceremony that he is currently considering new projects to set new Guinness World Records in the mosaics category.
05 September 2008