The Swiss team wins the 24th International Fireworks Competition in Hanover

On the evening of Saturday, September 20, it was announced that first place went to “Sugyp SA.” The outstanding performance by the Swiss pyrotechnic specialists put them ahead of their four international rivals. The Swiss team triumphed by captivating the audience at the Great Garden with a brilliant fireworks display choreographed to the James Bond soundtrack. They also impressed the jury of ten independent experts with their flawless execution of the competition requirements and a harmonious blend of pyrotechnic and musical effects. Second place went to “Flash Barrandov” from the Czech Republic, and Japan, with “Marutamaya Co,” took third place.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140921/706675-a )
     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140921/706675-b )

Photo available through the EPA (European Pressphoto Agency) (http://www.epa.eu/) and available for free download at: http://ots.de/aAzb8

Over five Saturdays between May and September 2014, leading teams from the Czech Republic, Great Britain, Switzerland, Japan, and Greece presented their fireworks displays in the baroque setting of the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen, attracting a total of 51,000 visitors as they competed for the title. A supporting program, themed to reflect each team’s country and featuring elements such as Baroque equestrian displays, a kimono fashion show, and Alpine music, as well as artistic, musical, and comedy performances, entertained the audience as they waited for the fireworks display to begin.

Hans Christian Nolte, director of Hannover Veranstaltungs GmbH (HVG), which organizes the event, was equally pleased: "We are particularly happy that the pyrotechnicians view the opportunity to participate as a reward in itself and confirm that the International Fireworks Competition in Hannover is one of the most highly regarded and well-known competitions in the world."

This year’s winning team, based in the French-speaking town of Grandson, has not only been active in its home country for more than 40 years but is also in high demand around the world. To meet international demand, Sugyp SA established a subsidiary in Abu Dhabi in 2011. Its portfolio includes fireworks displays for the famous Cirque du Soleil, as well as for companies such as Montblanc, Gucci, and the watchmaker Audemars Piguet. The Swiss team has also staged shows for the opening ceremony of the Junior Ski World Cup in Crans-Montana (2010) and the Orienteering World Championship in La Chaux-de-Fonds (2010). They have also participated in many prestigious international competitions, such as “L’International des Feux Loto-Québec” in Canada (2012).

The rules of the International Fireworks Competition are clearly defined: the fireworks display must last about 25 minutes and include a mandatory four-minute segment.

Contest dates in 2015: May 16, June 6, August 8, September 5, September 19.

For more information, visit: http://www.hannover.de/en/fireworks.

Press Contact:
Julia Sellner
, Hannover Marketing und Tourismus GmbH
+49-(0)-511/123490-13
presse@hannover-marketing.de

Images and text (in English) can be found at the following link:

www.hannover.de/en/press