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For its 70th anniversary, Costa turns Genoa into a party

PHOTO: Luca Peruzzi
Let the festivities begin! From left, Carnival Corp. & plc chairman Micky Arison and CEO Arnold Donald, Costa Cruises president Neil Palomba and Costa Group and Carnival Asia CEO Michael Thamm
Guinness World Records for the longest waterslide and the longest string of maritime signal flags were set Saturday in Genoa during the Costa Zena Festival, a party for Costa Cruises' 70th anniversary.

The 'Gran Pavese' bunting—consisting of 2,070 maritime signal flags—stretched two kilometers, from Via XX Settembre to the Old Port, marking the areas of the festival.

340-meter waterslide

The 340-meter inflatable waterslide on the Via XX Settembre was inaugurated by Neil Palomba, president of Costa Cruises, Genoa Mayor Marco Bucci and President of the Liguria Region Giovanni Toti—who slid down it on yellow inner tubes—and drew crowds all day.

Special guest was the television presenter and radio host Diletta Leotta.

The center of Genoa, the Old Port and Piazza Caricamento were animated by more than 60 performers from all over Europe and 29 singers, DJs and Genoese comedians.

Children's activities and Peppa Pig

In Piazza de Ferrari, children got to take part in workshops and games with the Peppa Pig mascots and PJ Masks, and relax on the sun loungers in the solarium, set up beside the fountain.

Piazza delle Feste hosted the comedy shows by Maurizio Lastrico, Bruciabaracche and other Genoese comedians, while street artists, acrobats, musicians and dancers entertained the public in Piazza Caricamento and at the Old Port.

Top singers and bands

A big concert at 8:30 p.m. on the Radio 105 stage opposite Piazza delle Feste was to star some of the best loved singers and bands of the moment: Michele Bravi, Elodie, The Kolors, Francesco Gabbani, Ermal Meta, Irama and Moreno. The gig was to be followed by a grand finale with an electrifying DJ set to keep people dancing until late.

At Arena del Mare, Al Bano and Romina Power were scheduled to perform a concert to celebrate 'Happiness,' a theme dear to Costa Cruises.

At around 11:30 p.m. in the waters of the Old Port, opposite Calata Falcone and Borsellino, a light and water show were planned, a first in the Liguria region.

For pictures of the festivities, follow @SeatradeInsider