The 29th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest once again lit up the skies in dramatic fashion in September and October, with talented pyrotechnic teams from around the world presenting spectacular fireworks displays synchronized to music and laser lights in breathtaking multimedia experiences.
Hailing from the Philippines, Korea, Japan, Belgium, France, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Italy and China, all the competing teams shared a rich experience in the creation of mega multimedia fireworks shows, with some of their portfolios also including fireworks displays tailored for major national celebrations in different countries, and a range of accolades garnered from international fireworks contests across the world.
This year, the fireworks companies from Korea, Belgium, France and China all made their debut at the Macao contest, while the companies from Italy, Japan and the Philippines have previously won accolades in past editions of the Contest in Macao.
All five fireworks evenings were choreographed to bring out special themes, from “Magical Colours in Harmony” and “A Mystified Fireworks Dream”, to “Shining Voices of Heaven”, “A Sparkling Mid-Autumn Night” and “National Day Fireworks Celebration”.
The shoreline in front of Macau Tower, Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre and Macao Science Center, as well as the shoreline of Taipa, the top of Penha Hill, and “Anim’Arte Nam Van” lake area, were among the popular vantage points for getting the best views of the contest this year. And as usual, the fireworks displays were broadcast live on TDM – Macao TV Channel with synchronized music on TDM – FM100.7 every scheduled evening, allowing spectators the opportunity to fully enjoy the beauty of the shows.
Two fireworks teams from the Philippines (Platinum Fireworks, Inc.) and Korea (Faseecom) raised the curtain on the 29th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest, inaugurated on September 1st, with fantastic performances under the theme “Magical Colours in Harmony”.
The opening ceremony of the Carnival was officiated by Deputy Secretary General of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region and Head of the Department of Social Affairs of the Liaison Office, Huang Huagai; the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; Vice Chairman of the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau, Ip Chi Wo; and Vice President of the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau and Director of Event Organizing Committee of the General Union, Lei Cheok Kuan; together with other guests.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, MGTO Director Senna Fernandes expressed her gratitude to residents and all the entities involved, for their continuous support of the Contest and its success in building Macao’s reputation near and far. As the 30th edition of the Contest is imminent, MGTO is looking forward to joining hands with all the trustworthy partner entities on the road ahead, to create many more innovative experiences and wonderful memories for locals and travelers.
Aside from an array of outreach programs, MGTO and the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau jointly presented the Fireworks Carnival next to the Macau Tower every night of the display. Further spotlighting Macao’s new brand as a Creative City of Gastronomy and the Macao ‘Year of Gastronomy’, the Fireworks Carnival featured traditional food handicraft performances including on-site preparation of dragon beard candy and the “Dragon Beard Candy Handicraft Workshop” for kids and parents on the first three nights. The Carnival was a confluence of culinary delicacies, lively performances and fun games.
Sponsored by Wynn Resorts (Macau) S.A., four outreach programs were held in tandem with the Macao International Fireworks Display Contest this year, including the newly-launched Songwriting Contest in anticipation of the 30th edition of the Contest; the widely-popular Photo Contest; the Student Drawing Contest; and the Trophy Design Contest.
To enrich the program of this year’s Fireworks Display Contest, MGTO also partnered with local enterprises to roll out the 3rd Macau International Lantern Festival, which displayed a collection of art pieces along the Waterfront Promenade of One Central Macau and Wynn Macau starting from September 1st. The art pieces included ten monumental and illuminative lantern sculptures of contemporary art themed “Love is in the Air” and an impressive interactive art installation featuring fluttering butterflies and beautiful flowers under the theme “Wynn Butterfly Story”.
In another part of the city, a mid-autumn installation of lanterns with rotating scenes, projection lights with interesting patterns and illuminated styling chairs brightened the Anim’Arte NAM VAN under the theme “Tour & Play The Lantern”. The festival was held concurrently during the Macao International Fireworks Display Contest, the Mid-Autumn Festival and the October 1st Golden Week, enabling residents and visitors to soak up the cultural and artistic ambience for a leisurely experience.
The Contest concluded on October 1st with two dazzling shows presented by teams from Italy (PANZERA S.A.S) and China (Liuyang New Year Fireworks Trading Co., Ltd.) Ulimately the winner of the Contest this year was Liuyang New Year Fireworks Trading Co., Ltd., followed by the fireworks teams Marutamaya Ogatsu Fireworks Co., Ltd. from Japan and Potsdamer Feuerwerk GmbH from Germany as the first and second runners-up.
