HVG press release

Into the next quarter of a century with France, Germany, Ukraine, Belgium and Canada!

5 dates between May and September, 5 top-class international fireworks teams, 5 artistic and culinary supporting programs.

This world-renowned fireworks competition kicks off its 26th edition on May 21, featuring newcomers and audience favorites. Before the teams light up the sky with their spectacular displays, a country-specific supporting program invites visitors to picnic, relax, and stroll through the Herrenhausen Gardens.

In this year’s competition, the teams will present their choreography to the approximately four-minute compulsory piece by composer Arcangelo Corelli—Concerto Grosso No. 8 in G minor—before giving free rein to their creativity in the approximately 20-minute free routine. The winner will be selected by a ten-member expert jury, which will evaluate the fireworks displays based on various criteria, such as technical execution, the quality and variety of the elements, and the synchronization of the fireworks with the music.

May 21: France

50 Years of the Rouen-Hanover Sister City Partnership: an anniversary that will also be celebrated at the French kickoff of the fireworks competition. Young performers from Hanover and Rouen will welcome visitors at the entrance to the Grand Garden, while on the Children’s Meadow, up-and-coming artists from Circus Salto, Circus Bunttropfen, and the MJC Rouen will showcase their talents. In a mobile kitchen, crêpes are prepared with wit and flair; high above, the French flower carries the Eiffel Tower around, and even the “great” Napoleon Bonaparte joins in. At the Garden Theater, the musicians from La Maison Tellier in Rouen embark on a challenging quest for joy and love.

The French team Compagnie POK sous les étoiles will kick off this year's fireworks display at 10 p.m. Founded in 2009 by creative artists and experienced pyrotechnicians, the company is best known for its original effects, high artistic standards, and powerful, emotional shows.

June 4: Germany

At the entrance, guests are greeted by soccer balls—gold and silver figures glistening on stilts in the Great Garden. A little garden gnome, cheeky and “typically German,” spreads good cheer. At the Gartenheater, the band SALT—featuring Lutz “Hammond” Krajenski and singer Myra Maud—performs a unique blend of jazz and Afro-Cuban music. Visitors can enjoy a special highlight at the Western Crescent: riders led by Richard Hinrichs will showcase their Baroque horsemanship there.

With IP Innovative Pyrotechnik, a German fireworks team is returning to the Herrenhausen Gardens for the first time since 2010. The company specializes in indoor and outdoor productions choreographed to music with precision. IP’s client list includes none other than show business legends such as AC/DC, the Rolling Stones, and Tina Turner.

August 20: Ukraine

Lucky toadstools humorously welcome visitors at the entrance gate after the summer break. In the garden theater, the four musicians of Apparatschick use their electric folk instruments to create a rhythm that gets your feet moving with polka, reggae, rock ’n’ roll, and Ukrainian disco. Ginja Boxkowa also wants to be close to her stars, the Klitschko brothers, and trains nonstop. Watch out—sparring partners wanted!

At 10 p.m., visitors can look forward to the show by this year’s first-time participating country, Ukraine. Under the motto “We fill the sky with magic and fairy-tale enchantment, and hearts with joy and fantastic impressions,” the Ukrainians aim to thrill the audience at the Herrenhausen Gardens. The company “Dance of Fire” specializes in staging pyrotechnic shows set to music as well as large-scale indoor and outdoor stage performances.

September 3: Belgium

A visitor arrives from Belgium, the comic book capital: A little dreamy, the little blue Smurfette Svenja bikes past the French fry truck, where Fritella Pommella tops overheated comedic treats with ketchup and mayonnaise. In a chocolate shop, the finest Belgian chocolate becomes a sensual and comedic experience. Colorful, crispy, and crunchy like the famous Belgian chocolate sprinkles: The newcomers from Hagelslag reinterpret well-known songs in their very own style on the rehearsal stage.

Among Belgium’s leading pyrotechnics companies is H.C. Pyrotechnics, a firm in high demand across Europe, which will be lighting up the sky with its spectacular displays this evening. The organizers of the renowned Belgian fireworks festival in Knokke-Heist have a long list of achievements to their credit; for example, they won the gold prize at the prestigious “Concours International de Feux d'Artifice Pyromélodiques” in Monaco.

September 17: Canada

From the icy north of Canada, a fierce blizzard seems to have blown white, glittering figures into the Great Garden. A Native American woman brings with her the wisdom and stories of her ancestors and, with a twinkle in her eye, sends visitors on their way with good wishes. At the Garden Theater, The Milltones serve up swinging rock classics and country songs from the North American continent, skillfully garnished with French swing chansons. On the Sundial Stage, Soul Control captivates the audience with soul classics from the ’60s and ’70s. A rousing horn section, a tireless rhythm section, and two extraordinary voices!

The closing fireworks display for this year’s competition will be presented by Firemaster Productions from Canada. For the past three years, the company has successfully staged Canada’s largest musical fireworks show in Toronto. In 2014, it won the Blackpool Fireworks Championships.

Advance booking

Tickets for the International Fireworks Competition are available in the online shop at www.hannover.de/onlineshop, where they can also be printed as e-tickets. As before, tickets can be purchased in advance for 19 euros (reduced price: 16 euros) at the Hanover Tourist Information office, located at Ernst-August-Platz 8, as well as at all regular ticket outlets. Ticket hotline: +49 (0)511 / 12345-123.

If tickets for a particular event day sell out in advance, there will no longer be a box office in the future.
Gift idea: A season pass for all five events for 85 euros per person, or a family ticket (valid for one event) for two adults and two children for 49 euros.

All admission tickets are valid as transit passes on the GVH network (2nd-class seating) on the day of the event, starting 3 hours before the event begins and through 5:00 a.m. the following day. Stop: Herrenhäuser Gärten, Lines 4 and 5.

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: www.hannover.de/explosiv.

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

2016 Dates at a Glance:
May 21: France, Compagnie POK sous les étoiles
June 4: Germany, IP Innovative Pyrotechnik
August 20: Ukraine, Dance of Fire
September 3: Belgium, H.C. Pyrotechnics
September 17: Canada, Firemaster Productions

We would like to thank Antenne Métropole and the Cultural Office of the State Capital of Hanover for their support of the artist program on May 21 and the Partner Country France.

Published:14.04.2016

Tickets, teams, info

2027 International Fireworks Competition

Dates, tickets, and information about the International Fireworks Competition at the Herrenhausen Gardens.

read