32nd International Fireworks Competition

On May 25, 2024, the 32nd International Fireworks Competition, organized by Hannover Veranstaltungs GmbH (HVG), will kick off the new season. For the first time this year, teams from countries never before represented will showcase their skills in Hannover. As a result, this year’s competition is themed “New Nations – New Spirits.”.

The five renowned pyrotechnics teams present their spectacular shows in a baroque garden setting on five evenings between May and September - traditionally with a compulsory piece (this year an excerpt from "Game of Thrones", performed by the NDR Radiophilharmonie) and a free program in which there are no limits to the choice of music, fireworks and creativity.

The spark of this magical event is already ignited at the entrance, as a symphony for the senses awaits visitors in the preliminary program: walk acts, live music, children's activities, typical local cuisine and space for picnicking shorten the waiting time until the highlight of the evening, when the garden and fireworks merge into a unique experience.

“All five teams are making their debut at the International Fireworks Competition in Hanover. Their shows bring a breath of fresh air to the Herrenhausen Gardens and an unprecedented variety of themes and musical selections. We’re also setting a new tone this year with the traditional compulsory piece—moving away from classics and toward contemporary music: The NDR Radio Philharmonic Orchestra will perform modern melodies from ‘Game of Thrones,’” explains HVG Managing Director Hans Nolte.

The 2024
Dates May 25: Malaysia: “The Treasures of Borneo” (Team Red Flame Special Effects)
June 8: Estonia: “An Adventure of Emotions” (Team Pyrocom)
August 17: India: “Harmony Across Horizons” (Team Amir Morani Fireworks)
September 7: Lithuania: “The Future Lies in the Past” (Team Vilniaus Saliutas)
September 14: Slovakia: “Enchanted Land” (Team Privatex-Pyro)

Media partner Radio21 will be streaming all five events live.

The Teams and Their Shows
, May 25: Team Red Flame Special Effects from Malaysia has been designing innovative fireworks shows since 1995. For nearly 30 years, the pyrotechnicians have also been traveling together to festivals around the world, constantly seeking new challenges. They’ve found one in Hanover, where they’re performing for the first time. Inspired by the Großer Garten, the show—themed “The Treasures of Borneo”—pays homage to Malaysia’s natural wonders and invites audiences to discover this diverse country. The journey to the island of Borneo becomes a path to inner reflection and tranquility, not least thanks to the accompanying ethereal sounds.

June 8: The Estonian fireworks team Pyrocom was founded
in 2018. While it is relatively new to the business, this group of passionate pyrotechnicians collectively brings more than 50 years of experience to the table. They present their technically and artistically sophisticated shows all over the world, and Hannover is now on the list of host cities for the first time. The Estonians are harnessing the fairy-tale-like, mystical aura of Hanover’s Royal Garden for their “Adventure of Emotions”—the motto of their show. They build upon the mandatory musical piece from “Game of Thrones” and also incorporate sounds from the fantasy genre into their freely chosen musical selections. The dark soundtrack and the fire spectacle featuring dragons, trolls, and giants in the sky transport the audience directly into these fantastical cinematic worlds.

August 17: The Indian company Amir Morani Fireworks was founded in 1937 by Gulamali Morani, later taken over by his son Amir, and finally by his grandson Azan. Azan has been working with his team since 2019.  This is only the third time the crew has participated in a fireworks competition and the first time they’ve lit up the sky over Hanover. Under the theme “Harmony Beyond the Horizon,” colorful pyrotechnic designs, accompanied by groovy beats from various cultures, reflect the diversity of life on every level. The combination of dynamic effects and energetic sounds is not only a call to join in with enthusiasm, but above all an invitation to embrace, respect, and celebrate diversity across horizons.

September 7: The eight-member team at Vilniaus Saliutas from Lithuania has been working together since 1996. Back then, they started out selling fireworks. This gradually evolved into professional fireworks services before they finally founded the company Vilniaus Saliutas in 2013. Since then, these pyrotechnics experts have built up a diverse portfolio of award-winning works. In Hanover, the team from the Baltics will create an unforgettable summer evening under the title “The Future Plays Out in the Past.” Spectators can expect an exhilarating party set against the backdrop of historic gardens, where state-of-the-art fireworks technology will transport guests to an 18th-century ball. Elector George I of Hanover extends an invitation to the celebration—featuring music by British bands such as Queen and the Beatles—to mark his coronation as King of Great Britain in 1714.

September 14: The Privatex-Pyro team, founded in 1991 by L’ubomír Masár in Dubnica, has embraced Slovakia’s long-standing tradition of fireworks. In addition to staging high-quality shows, the company is the only one in its home country to also develop and produce new pyrotechnics in its own laboratories. Thanks to numerous innovations, Masár’s team has established itself as a world-renowned fireworks company.

The pyrotechnics pioneers showcase their skills with large-scale productions both at home and abroad—and now, for the first time, they’re competing in Hanover.
Under the theme “Enchanted Land,” the Slovaks are bringing the story of a king to life. The monarch is searching for a land for his people where peace and love will last forever. The pyrotechnic effects take the form of fountains, flames, chrysanthemums, and comets, accompanied by songs in three languages (English, Latin, and Slovak).

The Supporting Program
For more than 300 years, the Herrenhausen Gardens have epitomized a feudal way of life in a green setting. Just as the court society once did, visitors today stroll among magnificent plants, sculptures, water features, and the colorful grotto by artist Niki de Saint Phalle. All of this provides the perfect backdrop for the event.
In addition, street performers, live music on various stages, comedy, dance, a circus show on the children’s lawn, and regional culinary offerings invite you to enjoy the wait until the fireworks. The program begins with a welcome ceremony at the East Main Entrance at 5:45 p.m.; admission to the Great Garden begins at 6:00 p.m.
On August 17, when the Pyroteam from faraway India performs in Hanover, the Indian Association of Hanover e.V. will help organize the supporting program with music, dance, and children’s activities. In doing so, the association not only welcomes its compatriots who have traveled from afar but, above all, brings a South Asian flair to the Großer Garten.

Baroque equestrianism in the Great Garden
A unique highlight of the supporting program awaits visitors on June 8: On this day, the Institut für klassische Reiterei Hannover e.V. will present an impressive demonstration of historical Baroque equestrian art in the Royal Gardens. This exquisite demonstration of 17th- and 18th-century dressage—featuring challenging maneuvers, elegant pirouettes, and artful side movements—will be performed by highly skilled riders on approximately 25 magnificent horses.

Unique pieces from the fireworks competition
The intercultural sewing project “Taschentalent” has recycled various flags from the International Fireworks Competition. The result is a collection of bags in various sizes—all creative, one-of-a-kind pieces featuring unique fireworks motifs from past competitions. With these products, the HVG, together with the “Taschentalent” project from Wedemark, is sending a message of integration and sustainability. The bags (starting at 13.95 euros) are now available at the Hannover Tourist Information Center at Ernst-August-Platz 8 and in the online store.

Advance Ticket Sales and Ticket Prices
Tickets are also available at the Hannover Tourist Information Office at Ernst-August-Platz 8 or through the online store at https://visit.ticket2go.de/#!/. A ticket costs 26 euros; the reduced price is 23 euros. A family ticket for two adults and two children ages 6 to 14 is available for 69 euros; there is an additional charge of 11 euros for each additional child. A season pass for 110 euros is a great value for all five events in this year’s competition. Currently, there are just under 40 season passes left for this year’s season.

The “Hannover Explosive” package includes one night’s stay in a double room at a three- or four-star hotel, with breakfast and an admission ticket, for 89 or 99 euros, respectively. For more information, visit www.visit-hannover.com/feuerwerk

Arrival and Departure – New Parking Guidance System
: Herrenhausen will be relieved of heavy departure traffic in the future. A portion of the departing traffic will be rerouted through an uninhabited area past the Graft, along Steintormarsch toward Königsworther Platz.
Visitors arriving by car will find parking available on the streets “Am Großen Garten” to the west and “An der Graft” to the east of the gardens, as well as near the East Main Entrance. The HVG recommends that all visitors to the fireworks competition use public transportation. Tram lines 4 and 5 stop directly at the main entrance at the “Herrenhäuser Gärten” stop. The admission ticket is valid as a fare for all public transportation throughout the entire GVH network, starting three hours before the start of the fireworks competition until 5:00 a.m. the following day.

57,500 expected visitors
Hans Nolte: “I’m really looking forward to the unprecedented teams and their unique shows. We’ve already sold many tickets to local fireworks fans. As we did last year, we expect 11,500 international guests per evening to enjoy the new atmosphere in the Baroque gardens. With this major global event, we’re now bringing dynamic energy to the venue for the 32nd time and sending a strong signal for tourism in the Hanover region.”