“Sugyp SA” at the 24th International Fireworks Competition (August 22, 2014)

The Czech team and last year’s winner, “Flash Barrandov Special Effects,” kicked off the 24th International Fireworks Competition on May 17. In keeping with the “Year of Britain” and the 300th anniversary of the Personal Union, the English team “1st Galaxy Fireworks” then demonstrated its pyrotechnic skills on May 31—enchanting both the audience and the jury alike. The Swiss pyrotechnicians from “Sugyp SA” will be the third participants to enter the competition on August 23. The goal is to win the 24th International Fireworks Competition

The Swiss are well-positioned to do so, as the pyrotechnics company, headquartered in Grandson, has been the largest fireworks distributor in French-speaking Switzerland for over 40 years. To meet international demand, the subsidiary “Sugyp Middle-East LLC” was founded in Abu Dhabi in 2011. Under the creative direction of Jean-Pascal and Nicolas Guinand, the 13-member team has already produced fireworks displays for Cirque du Soleil and companies such as Montblanc, Gucci, and the watch manufacturer Audemars Piguet.

Shows at major sporting events, such as the opening ceremony of the Junior Ski World Cup in Crans-Montana (2010) or the World Orienteering Championships in La Chaux-de-Fonds (2010), are just as much a part of the Swiss team’s repertoire as their participation in international competitions. For example, in 2013 they took third place at the Macao International Fireworks Display Contest and won the Ignis Brunensis International Fireworks Competition in the Czech Republic that same year. 

The Swiss team has spent more than six months preparing for the 24th International Fireworks Competition—and is set to present a special highlight. Following the 4-minute compulsory piece “Der Hexenritt” by Engelbert Humperdinck, the specially designed freestyle routine tells the story of a spy: With the theme music from the classic film “James Bond” and many surprise effects, “Sugyp SA” aims to ignite the audience’s enthusiasm.

Before the Swiss fireworks display begins at 10 p.m. near the Schwanenteiche, guests can kick off the evening in a relaxed atmosphere with a varied program of activities. Enchanting stilt walkers, rugged mountaineers, and Heidi from the alpine pasture welcome visitors to the Great Garden in true Schwyz style. Near the sundial, “Knäcke” stumbles from one mishap to the next. But he knows how to make the best of it—turning his little dilemmas into stories and turning passersby into spectators and participants. Also interactive is the improvised circle comedy show featuring Schwyz humor by “This Maag” on the cabaret stage. The artist collective “We Invented Paris,” with Swiss roots, brings the rehearsal stage to life with pop and folk music. Equally impressive are the alphorns played by the musicians of “Alpcologne.” In the Garden Theater, they blend the sound of these quintessentially Swiss instruments with an expressive female voice.

We've got something for our younger guests, too: On the children's stage, the charming clown Momo will have young and old alike smiling and dreaming with comedy, juggling, and tricks full of poetry. 

The competition continues: Upcoming dates

The next event is just around the corner and will transport us to the Land of the Rising Sun. In two weeks, on September 6, Herrenhausen will welcome guests from Japan: “Marutamaya Co.” will be the fourth contestant vying for the title. It is considered Japan’s leading fireworks company and has already introduced traditional Japanese fireworks to cities around the world, including New York, Montreal, Paris, Moscow, and Düsseldorf. This style of fireworks choreography is distinguished by its artistic merit as well as its precise shapes and colors. These characteristics have earned the Japanese company an international reputation and numerous awards: ranging from 3rd place at the International Firework Competition in Montreal (1994), to 1st (2005) and 2nd place (2013) at the Flammende Sterne competition in Ostfildern, to the Public Jury Prize and Czech TV Prize at Ignis Brunensis in Brno—these Japanese pyrotechnicians have proven time and again that they are true fireworks artists.

On September 20, the 24th International Fireworks Competition will conclude with a show by the Greek team “Nanos Fireworks & Special Effects.” The company is now in its fourth generation of leadership and is the oldest and largest fireworks company in Greece. The Greeks’ extensive portfolio includes spectacular events such as the fireworks displays for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Athens (2004), the Eurovision Song Contest (2006), the UEFA Champions League Final (2007), and concerts by stars such as Jennifer Lopez and AC/DC. The Greek team has also been extremely successful in competitions: for example, they won the “Flammende Sterne” competition in Ostfildern (2005) and took first place at the 6th International Music Fireworks Festival in Shanghai, China (2011).

The tickets

Tickets for the International Fireworks Competition are available at the Hannover Tourist Information office, Ernst-August-Platz 8, as well as at all major ticket outlets for 17.50 (reduced price 14.50 euros). On the day of the event, tickets can also be purchased at the box office starting at 4:00 p.m. for 20 euros (reduced rate: 16 euros), while supplies last. Tickets can be booked online using the order form at www.hannover-tourismus.de or www.hannover.de/feuerwerk.

Ticket hotline: +49 (0)511 / 12345-123

Tip for families: For 46.50 euros, two adults and two children up to age 14 can attend the competition (tickets available only at the Tourist Information Office, via the online form, and at the box office). All admission tickets are valid as transit passes on the GVH system on the day of the event, starting three hours before the event begins until closing time.

Unfortunately, tickets for the upcoming fireworks competition on September 6 are already sold out in advance. However, anyone who doesn’t want to miss the Japanese team “Marutamaya Co.” can still purchase tickets at the box office.

For anyone who wants to combine a visit to the International Fireworks Competition with an overnight stay in Hanover—or who would like to give the gift of a taste of the fireworks competition—HMTG has put together the “Hanover Explosive” experience package. This experience package is available at www.hannover-erlebnispakete.de.

For more information about the 24th International Fireworks Competition, visit www.hannover.de/feuerwerk.