France, Brazil, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Japan at the International Fireworks Competition!

This year’s approximately 4-minute compulsory piece is Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Egmont Overture.” In 1810, at the request of the director of the Vienna Court Theater, Beethoven composed the music for Goethe’s “Egmont,” creating an overture that has since become a staple of many orchestras’ repertoires. Following this standard musical requirement, the five teams are free to design their own approximately 20-minute free program. The 10-member expert jury will then announce the winner at the finals on September 21.

May 18, 2019: Welcome to France – Fantasias

© M: Coers

The season kicks off with a French flair in the baroque Grand Garden: At the Garden Theater, dreamy chansons from the City of Love meet Berlin’s sharp wit. Antoine Villoutreix and his band bring both worlds together, infusing their music with swing and folk. On the rehearsal stage, the creative poetry-pop trio Milou & Flint coax enchanting melodies from their many instruments and top them off with perfect harmonies—songs that are sometimes cheerfully playful, sometimes contemplative. Meanwhile, whimsical can-can dancers show off a whole lot of leg, Madame Lavande enchants all our senses with lavender-inspired creations, and a German-French choir delights the audience. So, all is well? Almost everything: Because Asterix the Gaul has lost Obelix and is now setting to work on his own to create a new magic potion. Kicking off the show in the sky above the Herrenhausen Gardens at 10:00 p.m. is 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 Herrenhausen Gardens and has enchanted the audience in Hanover time and again. With Fantasias, she has assembled a team distinguished by 20 years of experience and international success. This includes, among other achievements, first- and second-place finishes at the Belgian fireworks festival in Knokke-Heist and at French festivals in Cannes, Montgenèvre, and Courchevel.

June 1, 2019: Bem Vindos, Brasil - Fireworks do Brasil (Already sold out!)

© Hassan Mahramzadeh

Colorful samba performances—with and without stilts—welcome guests and set the stage for a lively, festive evening. At the Garden Theater, Marcia Bittencourt and her top-notch musicians present the magic of bossa nova and samba—a tropical seduction! On the Rehearsal Stage, Soraia Drummond and the Soul Rebelz reinvent the samba-reggae genre with warm soul and plenty of groove. Magnificent Baroque equestrian artistry can be admired at the Western Crescent. The exciting capoeira dance show on the Kinderwiese brings an authentic Brazilian vibe that invites everyone to join in. At 10:30 p.m., the team from Brazil takes the stage. For many pyrotechnicians, the chance to accompany stars like Katy Perry, J-Lo, Eminem, and Bruno Mars during their performances with fireworks is a dream—but for the Fireworks do Brasil team, it’s long been a reality! The team is based near Rio de Janeiro and has an incredible track record: They’ve 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.

August 24, 2019: Buon Giorno, Italia - Pirotecnica Vaccalluzzo

© Matz Mask

A gondolier in love has finally found the lady of his heart: Full of joy, the happy couple welcomes the guests and accompanies them to the Great Garden. At the Garden Theater, the charismatic singer Armando Quattrone performs the best Italian classics in his very own style, blending new songs with reggae and Calabrian tarantella—dancing and singing along are encouraged! The Maramao Trio, driven by a passion for Italian music from the 1930s to the 1950s, takes you on a musical journey to the land where the lemons bloom. At 10:00 p.m., the Italian pyrotechnics team takes the stage: “Inspiring the audience”—that’s the motto of Pirotecnica Vaccalluzzo. The team successfully combines ancient Sicilian tradition with modern technology: They’ve 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, each show is designed exclusively with products they make themselves to express every emotion exactly as the Italian team envisions it.

September 7, 2019: Dobry Den, Czech Republic - Makalu Fireworks

© Gage Costume

With their stunning plumage, a fairy-tale wren and a magnificent peacock delight not only the little mole from the Czech animated series but also fireworks enthusiasts. At the Garden Theater, singer Sisa Fehérová and her band Féhéro Rocher perform smooth and groovy jazz, soul, and blues, along with classics and nearly forgotten folk songs. On the rehearsal stage, Michal Müller captivates the audience with his unique playing style, creating a relaxed yet energetic groove. At 9:30 p.m., the curtain will rise on the pyrotechnics team from the Czech Republic. 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, stands for. Through their fireworks, they tell stories; behind every show lies a narrative carried 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.

September 21, 2019: Welcome, Kangei, Japan – Marutamaya Co.
The Sky Dreams—large, airy silk blossoms—enchant the guests with an atmospheric performance. Majestic geishas in magnificent robes make their way to the Grand Garden for the finale, where they encounter Drumime, who, in clownish fashion, invites the audience to join in the grand tam-tam. With tremendous power and intensity in both rhythm and choreography, Masa-Daiko sets off a true drumming spectacle at the Garden Theater. Traditional clothing—from children’s garments to wedding kimonos—is showcased on the rehearsal stage. Hands-on sessions in the traditional Japanese paper-folding art of origami, exquisite calligraphy, and manga portraits are offered for children and adults on the Japanese Family Lawn near the rehearsal stage. Special thanks go to the DFK Hannover-Hiroshima-Yukokai e.V. for their kind support of the supporting program. At 9:00 p.m., Japan will kick off the event with this year’s final fireworks display. The team could also be described as a leading Japanese company specializing in pyrotechnic shows and their design.

© Marion de Castellane

The team at Marutamaya Co. creates its own performances, which are characterized by high quality, flawless choreography, and exquisite colors. Perhaps this is precisely why their shows have been so successful internationally: the team has showcased its talent in Europe, Africa, and Canada, among other places. For example, in 2018 they took second place at the “Flammende Sterne” competition in Heilbronn.

Afterward, as has become something of a tradition, Juliano Rossi entertains the audience on the podium until the 2019 winning team is announced, with his unmistakable voice, cool understatement, and swing.

Tip for fireworks fans
The season pass for all five events (€90) or the family pass for €54 (valid for one event) for two adults and two children. Both special passes are available only through the online store 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.

2019 Fireworks Schedule:
May 18: France, Fantasias
June 1: Brazil, Fireworks do Brasil (sold out)
August 24: Italy, Pirotecnica Vaccalluzzo September 7: Czech Republic, Makalu Fireworks
September 21: Japan, Marutamaya Co.

Tickets are available at www.visit-hannover.com/onlineshop, at the HAZ and NP ticket shops, and at the Tourist Information office at Ernst-August-Platz 8.