Hannover Presents World-Class Fireworks Artistry (20.04.2012)

Hannover Presents World-Class Fireworks Artistry

The time has nearly come round again: the sky above the famous Herrenhausen Gardens will be a canvas for the world's best pyrotechnists at the 22nd International Fireworks Competition!

On five evenings between May and September, high-calibre pyrotechnics teams from Mexico, China, Portugal, England and Croatia will demonstrate their creativity and artistry as they transform the heavens above Hannover into a pulsating spectacle, a radiant mosaic of shimmering splashes of light. And all of it will be perfectly choreographed to music, making this a truly multisensory experience.

Before the firework teams captivate the audience with their interpretation of the compulsory piece and a subsequent free section, there is live music, variety performances and 'walking acts' to make the wait go faster - with themed entertainment for each of the participating countries. A professional jury will decide who emerges the winner of this internationally important competition.

The contest, organized by Hannover Veranstaltungs GmbH (HVG), will be opened on 12 May with a spectacular choreography by last year's winners, 'Pirotécnia Reyes' from Mexico. In 2011, the Latin American pyrotechnists triumphed against their rivals inHannover with their outstanding display. The event continues on 9 June with the Chinese team 'Panda Fireworks'. They created a global sensation with their fireworks for the Olympic Games in Beijing and at the opening of Expo 2010 in Shanghai. The portfolio of the Portuguese pyrotechnists of 'Grupo Luso Pirotecnia' (25 August) includes numerous displays commissioned for international football events such as the 2004 European Championships. The 'Jubilee Fireworks' team (8 September) are widely considered to be one of the leading pyrotechnic companies in the UK. Among the achievements of the English pyrotechnists is a gold medal awarded at the '1st Philippines International Pyromusical Competition' in 2010. Then, on 22 September, the Croatian pyrotechnists of 'Mirnovec Pirotehnika' will present the concluding display. And this promises to be a truly glamorous event: the company, founded in the Croatian town of Samobor in 1993, boasts a list of clients including such prominent names as the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Metallica, Steven Spielberg and Richard Gere!

"We're proud to be able to present world-class pyrotechnists at the 22nd International Fireworks Competition. Teams are already applying to take part in coming years. This great interest shown by pyrotechnists certainly shows just how internationally prestigious this competition is," says Hans Christian Nolte, managing director of HVG.

In the past year, the International Fireworks Competition drew over 49,000 spectators. In one of the loveliest Baroque gardens inEurope, audiences were enchanted by the pyrotechnic arts of the Swedish, French, Spanish, Austrian and Mexican competitors.

Further information on the sale of tickets (which are limited to 10,000 for each event), the Experience Packages and the firework teams is available at: http://www.hannover.de/firework