History, data, facts - International Fireworks Competition

© HMTG

The International Fireworks Competition in Hanover is an internationally renowned competition that was first held in 1991. It takes place at the Herrenhausen Gardens. On five evenings between May and September, pyrotechnicians from around the world compete against one another in the Great Garden to stage fireworks displays set to music in both the compulsory and freestyle rounds. The competition is organized by Hannover Veranstaltungs GmbH (HVG).

Supporting program

The events are accompanied by a supporting program that begins at 6:30 pm: Before the fireworks teams present their interpretation of the compulsory piece and the subsequent freestyle, live music, cabaret shows and walk acts themed to the participating country shorten the waiting time for the guests. Many visitors use the time before the fireworks, which start at dusk, to picnic and stroll in the baroque gardens.

Procedure and rules

The winner of the competition is decided by a jury. The decision is based on the conditions of the International Fireworks Competition. The fireworks display lasts around 25 minutes in total and includes a compulsory part of around four minutes. In this, the teams present a fireworks show to a new piece of classical music selected each year by the organizer. The pyrotechnicians should base their display on the baroque garden. The minimum number of ground elements is fixed; otherwise there are hardly any limits to creativity, the choice of music for the freestyle and the imagery. Among other things, the jury will evaluate the craftsmanship, accuracy, quality, variety of elements and the synchronization of the fireworks with the music. The winner of the five participating nations will be determined on the last evening of the event. The first three winning teams will be honored at the subsequent award ceremony.

© HMTG / Hassan Mahramzadeh

History

The first International Fireworks Competition in the Herrenhausen Gardens took place in 1991 to mark the 750th anniversary of the city of Hanover. It replaced the “Light Festivals” in Herrenhausen, which since 1954 had drawn families to the Great Garden with ballet and choral performances, classical music concerts, Baroque equestrian displays, a children’s program, and a closing Baroque fireworks display set to Handel’s “Fireworks Music.” The idea to organize a fireworks competition featuring international teams in the Herrenhausen Gardens instead of the Festival of Lights came from Ralph Jarrett, then Director of Transportation for the City of Hanover and Head of the Office for Tourism Promotion.

He was inspired by a fireworks competition he had attended in Monte Carlo. After about a year of preparation, the light festivals—for which Jarrett had also been responsible since 1982—evolved into the first International Fireworks Competition in Herrenhausen. This marked the first fireworks competition in all of Germany to take place in Hanover! Five European nations participated, and a total of around 30,000 visitors attended the five evenings of the event in May and June. The German team (Rohr Feuerwerke) and the Italian team (Pirotecnia Pagano) shared the victory. Starting in 1992, the event period was extended from May to September; however, the number of participating nations remained at five. The event’s international character was continuously strengthened by the increased participation of teams from overseas.

In 2006, there was a change in the leadership of the fireworks competition; Marianne Krohn, then managing director of Hannover Tourismus GmbH, succeeded Ralph Jarrett. In 2008, Hannover Marketing und Tourismus GmbH (HMTG), led by managing director Hans Christian Nolte, took over the organization of the International Fireworks Competition. With a new concept featuring more intensive promotion, a cap on attendance of 10,000 per evening, and a corresponding increase in advance ticket sales, the competition was further developed and attendance rose. In 2010, the International Fireworks Competition in the Herrenhausen Gardens celebrated its 20th anniversary, with five past winners competing against one another. The winning team from Sweden is once again among the participants this year.

Since 2011, Hannover Veranstaltungs GmbH (HVG), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hannover Marketing und Tourismus GmbH, has been the organizer of this world-renowned competition; Hans Christian Nolte also serves as its managing director. Today, a total of around 50,000 people attend the International Fireworks Competition in the Herrenhausen Gardens each year. The competition is renowned worldwide, attracting pyrotechnicians from all over the world.

© Christoph Maier / Pyrophotos

List of winners:

2022: Poland, Surex
2019: Czech Republic, Makalu Fireworks
2018: Norway, North Star Fireworks
2017: Poland, SUREX
2016: Belgium, H.C. Pyrotechnics
2015: Sweden, Göteborgs FyrverkeriFabrik
2014: Switzerland, Sugyp SA
2013: Czech Republic, Flash Barrandov
2012: Portugal, Grupo Luso Pirotecnia
2011: Mexico, Pirotecnia Reyes
2010: Sweden, Göteborgs FyrverkeriFabrik
2009: China, Vulcan Pyrotechnics
2008: France, Intermède
2007: Portugal, Macedo's Pirotecnia
2006: Russia, Pyrotechnika St. Petersburg
2005: Argentina, Jupiter
2004: Sweden, Göteborgs FyrverkeriFabrik
2003: Sweden, Göteborgs FyrverkeriFabrik
2002: Sweden, Göteborgs FyrverkeriFabrik
2001: Argentina, Jupiter
2000: Germany, WECO
1999: Spain, Brunchu
1998: Australia, Foti's
1997: Australia, Foti's
1996: Switzerland, Bugano
1995: Italy, IPON Benito Pagano
1994: France, Ruggieri
1993: Austria, Pyrotechnik Peter Schickl Switzerland, Bugano AG
1992: Germany, Ernst Rohr GmbH
1991: Italy, IPON Benito Pagano together with Germany, Ernst Rohr GmbH

For more information on tickets, experience packages, the teams, and the supporting program, visit: www.visit-hannover.com/feuerwerk. Images for editorial use and other press materials are available at www.visit-hannover.com/feuerwerk-presse.