The 25th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest is confirmed to take place at the sea area in front of Macau Tower on September 14, 19, 21, 28 and October 1. Five innovative elements will be incorporated into the fireworks display contest for a more colorful program, including the "Pyrotechnics Industry Forum" for a discussion about pyrotechnic industry development and its benefits upon tourism industry.

Macau International Fireworks Display Contest is organized by Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO). During the press conference, MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes unveiled the details of the contest this year.

Senna Fernandes indicated that Macau International Fireworks Display Contest celebrates its 25th edition this year. In the past 24 years, the contest has won ardent support from various prominent fireworks companies around the world. The event thus enjoys wide recognition and applause among visitors and citizens, having become one of Macau's annual international events not to miss.

The 25th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest will commence in mid September. Five new elements will come on stage this year including "Pyrotechnics Industry Forum", contesting teams from five continents, fireworks company participation from Africa, laser light effects and mini-movie promotion.

"Pyrotechnics Industry Forum"
MGTO will host the first "Pyrotechnics Industry Forum" during the contest. Fireworks industry partners from Mainland and overseas will come together for an exchange and discussion session about the applied technology, safety and development of pyrotechnic industry as well as its benefits towards tourism industry. The forum will take place from September 28 to October 1.

Contesting teams from five continents
The ten teams who join the contest this year cover five continents ranging from Asia, Europe, America, Oceania to Africa. They include fireworks companies from Spain, South Africa, Switzerland, Korea, Portugal, Australia, Italy, Canada, France and Mainland China. Among the contesting teams, four of them won the first prize in the past Macau International Fireworks Display Contest. Fireworks teams from France and China will stage their fireworks display on October 1 as a highlight on the National Day.

New Contestant from Africa
This year marks the first year of having an African fireworks company to join the contest, while the Canadian, Swiss and Mainland China fireworks companies are staging their first show in Macau.

The new contestants include Fireworks for Africa from South Africa, SUGYP SA – Swiss Professional Fireworks from Switzerland, GFA PYRO (Groupe Fiatlux-Ampleman) from Canada and Liuyang Dancing Fireworks Group from Mainland China. Fireworks for Africa won numerous awards in international fireworks competitions and presented the fireworks show in the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. On the other hand, SUGYP SA – Swiss Professional Fireworks from Switzerland took part in a variety of international contests and music fireworks shows, whereas the Canadian company GFA PYRO boasts its pyrotechnic experience for over a century and its regular participation in domestic and overseas fireworks contests and festivities. Based in Liuyang, Hunan, renowned as the "Home of Fireworks" in China, Liuyang Dancing Fireworks Group was the organizer of the fireworks evening for the 60th Anniversary of the National Day at Tiananmen, Beijing in 2009 and the opening ceremony of World Expo 2010 Shanghai China. The company also presented the fireworks display in Asian Games 2010.

Four of the participating teams come back this year as the first winners in title of Macau International Fireworks Display Contest and demonstrate competitive strength. Among them, BREZAC Artifices from France joined the Macau fireworks display contest four times and won high rankings including two first awards, while Panzera-Industria from Italy won two championship in Macau; on the other hand, the fireworks companies from Spain and Portugal both ranked as the first prize winner before in Macau, whereas Infinity Pyrotechnic from Australia won the third place last year. The experienced teams rival each other in strength this year and will bring forth a myriad of resplendent fireworks, bringing beautiful memories for visitors and citizens.

Laser light effects
MGTO requested the teams to complement their fireworks with not only music as usual but also laser light effects for the first time to enhance the audience's enjoyment with a more fascinating light and sound spectacular. For reason of nautical safety, each interval between every two fireworks displays will be reduced this year. The first display will start on 9 p.m. as usual, followed by the second display on 9:40 p.m. Every display will span 18 minutes. Spectators can listen to the live broadcast of the fireworks' background music on TDM - Radio Macau's Chinese Channel every fireworks night.

MGTO and Companhia de Telecomunicações de Macau S.A.R.L. (CTM) have co-launched "Macau International Fireworks Display Contest SMS Game" since 2010. The game has won enthusiastic feedback with over 3,000 text messages last year. MGTO will again present the SMS Game with CTM this year to foster citizens' participation in the event.

Mini-Movie Promotion
MGTO joins hands with a television broadcast company in Hong Kong to produce a mini movie as an unprecedented promotional feature this year. The mini movie will be broadcasted on numerous TV and online channels owned by the company for a widespread promotion effect. The office is also actively promoting this year's fireworks display contest through various international, regional and local media and promotion channels, including advertisements broadcasted through international media in neighboring regions and published through key media in Mainland, Hong Kong and Macau, e.g. electronic media and travel magazines. Others include poster and leaflet distribution, etc. The event is also widely promoted in regional and overseas travel fairs or exhibitions. Moreover, the office uses the Internet as a promotion platform by launching a theme webpage about Macau International Fireworks Display Contest on MGTO's website.

MGTO and the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau will jointly present the Fireworks Carnival again to add fun and colors to the fireworks evenings. Over 30,000 individuals enjoyed the five-day Fireworks Carnival last year.

The Trophy Design Contest, Photo Contest and Student Drawing Contest for the 25th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest accept applications starting from today. An award ceremony was held today (June 27) for the winners of the Trophy Design Contest, Photo Contest and Student Drawing Contest for the last Macau International Fireworks Display Contest. 

List of winners