2019 International Fireworks Competition at the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen

With two teams from overseas—Brazil and Japan—participating for the first time, the International Fireworks Competition kicks off its 29th year on May 18, 2019. Online tickets are now available at: www.visit-hannover.com/onlineshop. Physical tickets will be available starting Monday, November 5, 2018, at the Tourist Information office at Ernst-August-Platz 8, at the HAZ and NP ticket shops, and at all known ticket outlets.

A brief overview of the 2019 teams:

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May 18. France, Fantasias
The 29th International Fireworks Competition kicks off with the only woman to have made a name for herself in the male-dominated world of pyrotechnics: Delphine Picarat. She has already performed four times with other teams at the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen and has enchanted audiences in Hannover. With Fantasias, she has assembled a team distinguished by 15 years of experience and international success. This includes, among other achievements, a victory at the Belgian fireworks festival in Knokke-Heist and, of course, first place at the International Fireworks Competition in the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen in 2008.

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June 1. Brazil, Fireworks do Brasil
Being able to accompany stars like Katy Perry, J-Lo, Eminem, and Bruno Mars with fireworks during their performances is a dream for any pyrotechnician—and has long been a reality for the Brazilian team Fireworks do Brasil! The team is based near Rio de Janeiro and has an incredible track record: they have been recognized by the World Record Company for their shows and have won international competitions such as the 2013 Shanghai Jinshan International Beach Music Fireworks Festival in China.

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August 24. Italy, Pirotecnica Vaccalluzzo
“Inspiring the audience”—that is the motto of this Italian team. Pirotecnica Vaccalluzzo successfully combines ancient Sicilian tradition with modern technology: they have won international competitions, such as in Rome in 2015 and in Portugal in 2010, where they took home the top prize at the 12th International Symposium on Fireworks. With a love for detail, every show is designed using only in-house products to express emotions exactly as the Italian team envisions them.

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September 7. Czech Republic, Makalu Fireworks
Special effects for film, theater, and concerts, original shows, and everything related to pyrotechnics—that’s what Makalu Fireworks, the team from the Czech Republic, is all about. Through their fireworks displays, they tell stories; behind every show lies a narrative that is brought to life visually and acoustically by music and spectacular fireworks. Makalu Fireworks has enjoyed great success at international events and festivals—whether at the Chinese New Year celebration in Prague or on the winners’ podium at competitions in Germany and Poland.

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September 21. Japan, Marutamaya Co.
The team could also be described as a leading Japanese company specializing in pyrotechnic shows and their design. The Japanese manufacture their own products, which are characterized by high quality, perfect shapes, and exquisite colors. Perhaps this is precisely why their shows are so successful internationally; the team has demonstrated its skills in Europe, Africa, and Canada, among other places. For example, in 2018 they took second place in the “Flammende Sterne” competition in Heilbronn.

Supporting program
Before the evening sky above the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen becomes a projection screen for internationally renowned pyrotechnics teams, there is a colorful supporting program. Live music in the Garden Theater and on the rehearsal stage, street performers and buskers, theater performances, and plenty of hands-on activities for children help pass the time for visitors. In the past two years, tickets for all dates sold out well in advance—with a total of around 55,000 guests attending the International Fireworks Competition in the Great Garden.

Tip for fireworks fans
A special gift idea for St. Nicholas Day or Christmas: a season pass for all five events (€90) or a family ticket for €54 (valid for one event) for two adults and two children. Both special tickets are available only through the online shop and at the Tourist Information office at Ernst-August-Platz 8, 30159 Hannover.

For anyone who would like to combine a visit to the International Fireworks Competition with an overnight stay in Hannover, Hannover Marketing und Tourismus GmbH has put together the “Hannover Explosive” experience package: www.visit-hannover.com/explosiv.

Images for editorial use and other press materials are available at www.visit-hannover.com/feuerwerk-presse.

With two teams from overseas—Brazil and Japan—participating for the first time, the International Fireworks Competition kicks off on May 18, 2019

29th year of the event. Online tickets are now available at: www.visit-hannover.com/onlineshop. Physical tickets will be available starting Monday, November 5, 2018, at the Tourist Information office at Ernst-August-Platz 8, at the HAZ and NP ticket shops, and at all major ticket outlets.

© Sebastian Gerhard

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