In pictures: sky filled with color and enchantment as hot air balloon festival begins in Ecuador

The sky over Quito was filled with color and enchantment Friday as hot air balloons took flight during the "Second International Balloon Festival Middle of the World 2023".

The event took place in the Middle of the World City, where the Monument to the Equator is located.

Twenty balloons guided by international pilots took off.

A light drizzle and fog threatened to suspend the event, but the pilots finally managed to lift off, to the delight of the spectators.

"They made the decision to inflate the balloons anyway, and then many of them went up. We are very happy, they did it in return to the spectators who were here from very early, from 5 o'clock in the morning. Here in the middle of the world." said Quito's governor Paola Pabón.

The balloons ascended at 6am and flew for two hours.

"It's my privilege to be here. It's a very unique location where we are. I've been all around the world. I flew in all the continents, and this is so unique. I haven't experienced anything like this anywhere in the world", said Lithuanian pilot Rokas Kostiuskevicius.

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