Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, the foremost competition of its kind anywhere, will be held at the sea area across the Macau Tower in November this year to create a festive ambience for the Macau Grand Prix Golden Jubilee Carnival. The contest will be a match between ten international teams.

Macau International Fireworks Display Contest has been held in September and October in the past years. To celebrate the 50th Macau Grand Prix this year, this enticing festivity will be featured as one of the spectacular activities of the Macau Grand Prix Golden Jubilee Carnival.

The 15th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest will light up the sky on November 1, November 9, November 12, November 16 and November 22.

The contest is a glamour event known to the world. The ten teams participating in the 15th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest are from Thailand, Japan, Australia, Taiwan, France, Korea, Spain, China, Portugal, and the Philippines, each possessing their own uniqueness.

Among them, the 8 teams from Thailand, Japan, Australia, France, Spain, China, Portugal and the Philippines participate in the contest for the first time. The Korean team, which has taken part in the contest in 1991 and 2001, was seen at the opening ceremony of the Asian Games in 1986 and the opening and closing ceremony of the Olympics in 1988. The team from China has won the championship in the prestigious Monaco International Fireworks Competition 1986 and participated in fireworks display of the "50th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China". Other new participants, with their rich experiences and special feature, will surely bring audiences a colorful and memorable time.

The organizer is going to present US$17,500 to each fireworks team as subsidy. The winner will receive US$6,000, trophy and certificate. First and second runner-up will receive US$3,200, US$1,800, trophies and certificates respectively.

All participating teams have excellent experience and in no doubt that they will bring tremendous amazement to spectators. This annual event is expected to attract an influx of tourists and local residents while boosting Macau's tourism industry and increasing its exposure.

The Macau International Fireworks Display Contest first started in 1989; at the time only five teams were in the league including Portugal, China, Japan and Taiwan. Until 1995, the event has gained its fame and from the original 5-team contest tote up to ten teams, with two different teams showing their talent each night.

For the past 14 years, a total of over 70 international teams had taken part in the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest. The Macau Government Tourist Office has always been working hard to advance this event's status and reputation internationally, having the vision to bring about the world's most prominent International Fireworks Display.

The fireworks teams for this year includes: SINSON Chemical Co., Ltd. from Thailand, Suzuki Fireworks Co., Ltd. from Japan, FireworX from Australia, San Tai Fireworks Ind. Co., Ltd. from Taiwan, SODIP Pyrotechnie from France, Hanwha Corporation from Korea, A. Caballer, s.a. fuegos artificiales from Spain, Hunan Hongda Pyrotechnics MFG Inc. from China, GJR-Pirotecnia e Explosivos, S.A. from Portugal and Six J Fireworks from the Philippines.

This year, each fireworks display will last for approximately 18 minutes, and there will be two displays per night at 9 pm and 10 pm.

In order to capture the spectacular moments of the fireworks display contest, the photo and drawing competitions will be held again this year. The 15th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest Photo Competition and the 15th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest Drawing Competition will invite entries soon. The winners of the two competitions will be entitled for premiums and trophies.

MGTO hopes that the glamorous firework displays, together with the colorful activities, will bring a splendid holiday to the tourists visiting the Macau Grand Prix Golden Jubilee Carnival.