Paris' Plans to Host Its 'Giant Drinks Party' Has Its Police Worried

Plans hatched on the Internet to hold France's biggest impromptu drinks party in Paris later this month drew a formal warning on Thursday from the police who said the event could prove dangerous.

More than 13,000 people have already confirmed online that they will be turning up under the Eiffel Tower on May 23 for the "giant drinks party", or "aperitif" in French, and organisers hope to draw in more than 50,000.

Rio's Carnival - the Biggest Party on Earth
Rio de Janeiro's Carnival was heading towards its climax Sunday with the famed parades about to kick off in heatwave conditions -- but also with a few party-pooping problems.

Propelled by Facebook, a series of such gatherings have been gaining momentum over recent months, with thousands of people turning up for drinks in usually quiet cities like Rennes, Brest and Clermont-Ferrand.

"We are aware of the festive and friendly motivation of the participants, but there are serious risks associated with crowd management involving several thousand people," the Paris police said in a statement.

"Such a gathering cannot be organised without first examining and implementing adequate measures to protect the participants as well as public property," it added.

Botox Barbie Turns Out to be a Sex Organiser too
A woman, who has shelled out 500,000 pounds on her own cosmetic surgery and prides herself by helping her 15-year-old daughter get Botox, has also been revealed to be a sex party organiser.

Police in the western city of Nantes also issued a warning to organisers of a similar event planned on May 12, which 12,000 people have signed up to.

Police said that in the last "giant aperitif" there in November, 38 people were hospitalised, about 50 were found unconscious from drinking and several fell into the Loire river and had to be rescued.

Power Dress Still Rules as a Chosen Party Frock
Power dress is still popular as a chosen party frock,courtesy The British label Preen which reinvents the creation for all shapes and sizes.

That event "caused incidents that endangered people's safety and damage to property for which the city of Nantes demanded financial compensation from the organiser," a police statement said.

The Paris police also noted that 14 people were taken to hospital during a giant drinks party in Rennes, some of whom were seriously ill.

Taliban Bombs Drain Pakistan Party Spirit
When Sara Qaiser celebrated her wedding, her dream day was attended by armed guards and guests who had been frisked by Pakistani soldiers.

They reminded organisers that alcohol consumption was strictly banned on the Champs de Mars, a large green space between the Eiffel Tower and the Ecole Militaire training academy in central Paris.

Organisers of giant drinks parties portray them as an inspiring way of using the Internet to bolster real-life social interaction.

"Young people are engaged in real encounters instead of virtual contacts," said Christophe Moreau, a sociologist at Rennes University.

Not everyone sees them that way though.

Local authorities in the town of Foix and the city of Montpellier decided to ban parties scheduled for April, citing a high risk of public disorder.

Green party members in Montpellier however stepped forward and said they were ready to act as co-organisers of a giant drinks party and take the necessary steps to maintain order.

That party is scheduled for next Wednesday.

Source-AFP
TAN