French Polynesia: Tahiti makes ukulele record attempt

Thousands of people gathered in Papeete to try and break the record

The Pacific island of Tahiti has made a bid to enter the record books by gathering together thousands of ukulele players.

Organisers of the island's ukulele festival say they've broken the world record for the largest ukulele ensemble, with 4,750 people strumming along in unison to the song Bora Bora E. Even French Polynesian President Edouard Fritch joined in, and dozens of other politicians helped make up the numbers during the event in the capital, Papeete, the Radio New Zealand International website reports. Guinness World Records say they're currently evaluating the record attempt. If confirmed, it would smash the current record, set in the UK in 2014 by 2,370 ukulele players in Southampton. To meet Guinness World Record standards the ukuleles had to be played together - and in harmony - for at least five minutes.

While the official confirmation process can take several weeks, locals are already bursting with pride over the event, not least the culture minister who described it as a "huge, huge moment". Many people travelled from other islands to take part, boosting the turnout far above the expected 3,000 people. "I was born with a ukulele in my hands, so it touches my heart to see them all play together" says Emile Ariipeu, who conducted the musicians.

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