Two fireworks teams from Malaysia and the Philippines raised the curtain on the 30th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest (“the Contest”) themed as “Duo Celebrations for Macao” tonight (7th September) with their wonderful performances. Director of Macao Government Tourism Office, Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, joined other guests to officiate the opening ceremony of the much-anticipated Contest at the Outdoor Plaza of Macau Tower. The Fireworks Carnival and the 4th Macau International Lantern Festival were also unveiled tonight to add splendid colors to the Contest.  

In addressing the opening ceremony, Director Senna Fernandes expressed that the twelve fireworks shows are choreographed to “Light your fire”, the top-prize-winning song in last year’s Songwriting Contest, as one of their background music scores, while the top entry of the last Trophy Design Contest is featured as the design of the real trophies awarded to the winners of the 30th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest. In terms of outreach programs, besides the Photo Contest and Student Drawing Contest, two new contests of video production and poster design are launched this year. Cultural and creative elements are also added to the Fireworks Contest, by way of several concurrent workshops and booth games. Through the above, MGTO hopes to foster the blending of tourism products with culture and creativity, steering the local cultural and creative industry to move forward.

Officiating guests at the opening ceremony of the 30th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest include Director and member of the Executive Committee of TDM-Teledifusão de Macau, S.A., Frederico do Rosário, Director for Corporate Communications of CTM, Eliza Chan, Director of Group Marketing Department of Shun Tak Holdings and representative of Macau Cruise, Vincent Tung, and Vice President of the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau, Lei Cheok Kuan.  

Instead of inviting ten teams to perform on five fireworks evenings as in the past, the Office has arranged for twelve teams to dazzle Macao’s skyline on six fireworks nights this year. The dates of the Contest will cover the Mid-Autumn Festival, the National Day and the 1st October Golden Week. Twelve fireworks displays will take place on 7th September (Malaysia and Philippines), 13th September - Mid-Autumn Festival (Portugal and Korea), 21st September (United Kingdom and Romania), 28th September (South Africa and Canada), 1st October - National Day (France and China) and 5th October (Japan and Australia) above the sea area overlooked by Macau Tower. The first and second fireworks displays start at 9 p.m. and 9:40 p.m. respectively every scheduled evening, each lasting about 18 minutes. 

12 competitive teams dazzling the night sky
The Contest features twelve fireworks displays on six evenings this year, which are live broadcast on TDM – HD TV Channel with synchronized music on TDM - Radio Macao's Chinese Channel (FM100.7) every scheduled evening.

Blastmaster Sdn Bhd from Malaysia is making its debut in Macao. The company produces over 200 fireworks shows in Malaysia annually, according to its profile. 

Platinum Fireworks, Inc. came from the Philippines to Macao for several past editions of the Contest, winning second runner-up title in 2009 and 2010. The company won the championship in Les Grands Feux du Casino du Lac-Leamy, an international fireworks competition held in Ottawa, Canada in 2013. 

Pirotecnia Minhota Lda from Portugal, one of the first contestants of the Macao Contest since its inception, won the top prize in the third edition (1991). 

Daehan Fireworks Company won the People’s Choice Award in Honda Celebration of Light – Vancouver’s annual fireworks extravaganza, in Canada in 2018. The Company also participated in the Macao Contest in 2014 – 2016. 

MLE Pyrotechnics Limited won third place in China (Liuyang) International Musical Fireworks Competition in 2018. The British company also shone in the Macao Contest in 2005 and 2011. 

Pyro-Technic Transilvania Srl. is a Romanian company established in 1998. Its fireworks shows dazzled many festivals and events in Romania. The company debuted in Macao in 2016 and harvested second prize. 

Fireworks for Africa came from South Africa to participate in the Macao Contest in 2013. The company won first prize in the Blackpool World Fireworks Championships in the United Kingdom in 2017. 

Feu d’artifice Orion won third place in the Macao Contest in 2016. The Canadian company stages a range of fireworks shows across Québec and the world every year. 

The French company SAS BREZAC Artifices dazzled in the Macao Contest numerous times between 2005 and 2013, garnering three top prizes, one second prize and one third prize. The Company creates over 1,000 fireworks displays in France and around the world yearly. 

Returning to Macao with the champion title from last year, Liuyang New Year Fireworks Trading Co., Ltd from China has presented fireworks in many prestigious festivities and events at home and abroad in recent years, including fireworks displays during the meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Beijing in 2014. 

Marutamaya Ogatsu Fireworks Co., Ltd. from Japan won first place in the Macao Contest in 1993 and 2016, as well as second place last year. 

Cardile International Fireworks Pty Ltd was established in Australia over one century ago. The company produces a multitude of fireworks shows in Australia every year and joins the Macao Contest for the first time. 

Vote for your favorite fireworks team online
MGTO and CTM jointly organize an online poll named “My Favorite Fireworks Team” to enhance residents’ and visitors’ interest and enjoyment in the Contest, while gaining wider publicity for the event. After 9 p.m. each fireworks evening, spectators can access the website http://firework-games.cyberctm.com or the themed webpage via the menu on MGTO's WeChat ID “MGTOweixin” to vote for their favorite fireworks team and enter the lucky draw for a chance to win attractive prizes. 

Parent-and-kid T-shirt painting workshop at Fireworks Carnival 
The opening ceremony of the Fireworks Carnival was officiated by MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, Deputy Chief of Division of Social Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Chen Jingfeng, Deputy Commissioner of Public Security Police Force, Lao Wan Seong, Vice Chairman of the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau, Cheong Lai Chan, and Vice President of the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau and Director of the Community Economic Affairs Committee, Lei Cheok Kuan, together with other guests.

Besides a palette of culinary delights and drinks, the Fireworks Carnival presents a booth game themed as “fun puzzles of fireworks on night sky” and a DIY workshop featuring fireworks-themed T-shirt painting for parents and kids. The top two entries in last year’s  Songwriting Contest will be presented on stage during the Fireworks Carnival.

Nam Van Lake shore aglow with lanterns 
MGTO once again supports local community associations in organizing the 4th Macau International Lantern Festival. Anim’Arte NAM VAN and the Waterfront Promenade of One Central Macau and Wynn Macau are festooned with artistic light installations from today (7th September) until 15th October. The Office also sponsors community associations in organizing a weekend program of DIY workshops for the 30th Macao International Fireworks Display Contest as well as a youth art program, which are held at M Dimensions and the plaza of Anim’Arte NAM VAN respectively on every fireworks evening. The above programs and events are held concurrently during the Macao International Fireworks Display Contest, the Mid-Autumn Festival and the 1st October Golden Week, enabling residents and visitors to soak in a leisurely, cultural and artistic ambience. 

For more information about the Macao International Fireworks Display Contest and its outreach programs, please visit: http://fireworks.macaotourism.gov.mo