Czech Team Wins the 23rd International Fireworks Competition in Hanover (September 22, 2013)

The “Flash Barrandov Special Effects” team was crowned the winner at yesterday’s final (September 21) of this world-renowned competition, following the performance by their South African competitors. The Czech pyrotechnicians prevailed over their four international rivals with their outstanding presentation (from August 24). The team succeeded in enchanting the audience at the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen with their fireworks choreography “The Human Game”—and in convincing the independent jury with a flawless execution of the competition requirements, a harmonious staging of pyrotechnic and musical effects, and a high level of artistic excellence. France took second place, while Italy came in third.

“It has never been as difficult for the jury to reach a decision as it was this year. All of the fireworks displays were of a very high standard. Ultimately, however, the Czech team was most successful in captivating the audience and the jury emotionally through their precise synchronization with the music,” explains Anke Lohmann, spokesperson for the jury.

After the jury announced the winner, Jaroslav Štollba, director of “Flash Barrandov Special Effects” and designer of the winning fireworks display, was overjoyed. “It is a great honor to participate in such a high-caliber competition, and an incredible joy to have won it. Fantastic.” As a prize, Hanover’s mayor, Bernd Strauch, presented him with a glass trophy; in addition, the Czech team will receive 5,000 euros in prize money from Hannover Veranstaltungs GmbH (HVG). “We can hardly wait to put on another show in May against the beautiful backdrop of the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen. I already have quite a few ideas for the fireworks in mind.”
Hans Christian Nolte, managing director of HVG, which organizes the competition, is also pleased with how the event went: “It was a fantastic fireworks competition with world-class teams and many enthusiastic visitors. We’re already looking forward to next year.”

Between May and September 2013, top teams from Portugal, France, the Czech Republic, Italy, and South Africa competed for the title over five Saturdays with spectacular fireworks displays in the baroque setting of the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen—captivating a total of around 50,000 visitors in the process. A supporting program tailored to each participating country—featuring, for example, Baroque equestrian art, chansons, reggae, cabaret, and many other music and dance performances—helped pass the time for visitors as they waited for the grand fireworks displays.

The winner of the competition, “Flash Barrandov Special Effects” from Prague, is considered the leading company for pyromusical shows and special effects in the Czech Republic. The pyrotechnicians have already won numerous awards at international competitions in Cannes (2008), Szczecin (2012), Quebec (2011), Madeira (2006), and Brno, and took second place in Hannover in 2006. The company is in demand worldwide for its special effects: The team is active in the film industry and has been booked for blockbusters such as Alien vs. Predator, Hellboy, and The Bourne Identity.

The rules for the International Fireworks Competition are clearly defined: The fireworks display lasts a total of about 25 minutes and includes a mandatory segment of approximately four minutes. Before the pyrotechnicians can give free rein to their creativity in the free program, this year they must first perform a fireworks choreography set to an excerpt from *The Dance of the Furies* by Christoph Willibald Gluck. In their production, the pyrotechnicians are to take their cue from the Baroque garden. The minimum number of ground elements is specified; otherwise, there are virtually no limits to creativity, music selection, and visual language. Among other things, the jury evaluates the technical execution and precision, the quality and variety of the effects, as well as the synchronization between music and fireworks.

The 24th International Fireworks Competition kicks off on May 27, 2014, featuring this year’s winner from the Czech Republic. Advance ticket sales are expected to begin in early December.

2014 Dates at a Glance: May 17, May 31, August 23, September 6, September 20

Further information is available at: www.hannover.de/fireworks

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© Mahramzadeh

Victory fireworks from the Czech team

Winning fireworks display by the Czech team "Flash Barrandov Special Effects". Copyright: Hassan Mahramzadeh

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