The 26th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest started tonight (8 September) with the first team coming on stage from Taiwan, China. Their fireworks displays fascinated both local and foreign spectators in town.

The 26th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest is held at the seafront of Macau Tower between 8 September and 1 October. The contestant team dazzled the city skyline with spectacular fireworks this evening and filled the Mid-Autumn night with festive vibe.

MGTO again requests the teams this year to choreograph their fireworks displays to both music and laser light projections so as to set off their display theme and enhance the audience’s experience with a pyrotechnic extravaganza. Spectators can watch the live broadcast of the fireworks shows with background music on TDM – Macau Chinese TV Channel and TDM - Radio Macau’s Chinese Channel (FM 100.7) each fireworks evening. Citizens and visitors are therefore given more choices to enjoy the contest. A mobile SMS game is also available to encourage locals’ involvement in the event.

Besides the annual Photo Contest for the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, the Office organizes a social network photo contest for the first time and welcomes local citizens to join this year. Participants can upload their works to the Facebook page “Happy moments under the fireworks” during 8 September and 5 October. For details about the contest, please visit https://www.facebook.com/macaufirework.

Famous pyrotechnic companies came from around the world to join the past editions of Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, and the line-up is as strong this year. The ten teams come from Taiwan, China; China; Korea; Poland; Croatia; Portugal; Australia; France; Italy and Spain (according to the order in the contest program). Croatia and Poland are two countries joining the contest for the first time, while the pyrotechnic companies from Spain and Australia will make their debut in Macau. The first fireworks display starts at 9 p.m., followed by the second show at 9:40 p.m. Each display will last for 16 to 20 minutes.

MGTO and the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau are joining hands again to present Fireworks Carnival 2014 at the open area next to Macau Tower during the fireworks evenings. The carnival starts from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. with stage shows and food stalls.