29^th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest Declares Winners

The 29^th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest culminated in pyrotechnic and musical splendour on 1^st October, National Day of the People's Republic of China. Liuyang New Year Fireworks Trading Co., Ltd. from China lifted the championship crown, followed by the fireworks teams Marutamaya Ogatsu Fireworks Co., Ltd. from Japan and Potsdamer Feuerwerk GmbH from Germany in first and second runner-up places.

The prize-giving ceremony - held in Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre - was officiated by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao Special Administrative Region Government, Alexis Tam, the Director of Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, plus Deputy Directors Cheng Wai Tong and Ricky Hoi, who, together with the jury and other guests, presented the coveted awards to the winners.

Every year, various internationally acclaimed fireworks companies come from around the world to join the Macao International Fireworks Display Contest. In this edition, the ten teams came from (in order of appearance) the Philippines, Korea, Japan, Belgium, France, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Italy and China. The fireworks companies from Korea, Belgium, France and China made their Macao debut, while those from Italy, Japan and the Philippines have won accolades in past editions of the Contest in Macao.

This year, the fireworks displays were designed once again to highlight different themes each scheduled evening. The theme of 1^st October was 'National Day Fireworks Celebration', with splendid fireworks presented by the teams from both Italy and China in celebration of the 69^th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China, adding festive vibes around town for National Day.

Since the inaugural edition was unveiled by MGTO in 1989, the Macao International Fireworks Display Contest has developed into one of Macao's signature mega events, attracting a vast number of spectators from around the world every year. To encourage participation and enhance enjoyment among local residents, an array of outreach programmes were rolled out in tandem with the Fireworks Contest this year - notably, the Trophy Design Contest, Photo Contest and Student Drawing Contest as well as the Songwriting Contest newly launched to welcome next year's 30^th edition of the Contest.

Overflowing with a palette of highlights and delights, the Fireworks Carnival was also staged every fireworks evening as an annual complementary activity of the Contest, while MGTO also supported local entities in rolling out the 3^rd Macau International Lantern Festival.