expect fireworks

World’s top teams head to Macau for a competition that’s set to light up the sky

By Sammy Poon Translation by chung Wah chow, Maya ando

A century ago, firework, joss stick and match manufacturing were the three most important traditional industries in Macau, with workshops and factories dotted all over the peninsula. However, the closing down of iec Long Fireworks co – once the largest firecracker factory in Macau – during the 1980s, marked the end of a glorious era of firework production. Thankfully, a link to the territory’s pyrotechnic past has been established with the Macau international Fireworks Display contest (MiFDc). an event that began in 1989 with only five participating teams has since seen the number rise to 10, with the teams battling it out in a five-day contest at the Macau Tower in September.

The Wan Dar Fireworks Manufacturing company from Taiwan is a regular fixture in the competition, having taken part seven times. “We ranked somewhere in the middle last year,” says team member Teresa Lin. “it’d be a great honour to win a trophy, but meeting new friends who share our love of fireworks is equally important. MIFDC. is one of the major events in the industry. People who are interested in fireworks don’t want to miss the chance to learn from each other, so the contest is beneficial in both commercial and artistic aspects.”

The colourful displays produced are the outcome of careful and sophisticated calculations, with chemical formulae used to manipulate the fireworks into different shapes. For instance, heart shapes are created by filling one half of the shell with explosives and strobes arranged into a heart shape. The other half is then filled with cottonseeds to prevent the strobes from deforming.

“appreciation of fireworks varies from person to person,” says Lin. “The design and planning stage, therefore, is very important. For example, the rounder the shape of the peony shell, the prettier the firework. We stimulate the effects over and over in a computer to ensure the best performance. We also try to match the fireworks with music to allow the audience to visualise themselves in a story.”

Of their fellow competitors, Lin believes that although the Japanese can make almost perfect peony shells, it’s the European teams who are the most imaginative. However, in order for the asian teams to match their Western rivals, she admits a change in mindset is needed. “The European teams creatively arrange the fireworks in different layers and the asian teams need to learn from the West,” says Lin. “Traditionally in asia, skills are only passed from master to apprentice, but it’s important to think beyond tradition in order to excel.”

With Wan Dar having developed shapes such as the landscape of Taiwan, dolphins and smiling faces in recent years, Lin is confident going into September’s competition. “We’ve established a research and development department to make sure our new inventions meet the international standard,” she says.

French team, Brezac-artifices, won the MIFDC in 2006 and has competed in fireworks competitions across the globe, including the Montreal Loto Quebec Fireworks Festival, the world’s largest festival of fireworks. “Every country has its own firework culture,” says team head Dominique Brezác. “Participating in competitions is the best way to observe.”

Despite spending months on displays which last only a few minutes, Brezác is passionate about what he does. “Fireworks are a form of art,” he says. “nevertheless, it’s different from painting and music because it can’t be repeated. We have only 20 minutes to share our art. all the hard work pays off, though, when we hear the cheers from the crowds.”

Iec Long FIreworks co

The decline of Macau’s firecracker manufacturing industry was exacerbated when mainland china gained access to the american and Japanese markets. Formerly the largest fireworks factory in Macau, iec Long Fireworks company in Taipa closed in the 1980s. However, the building – on Rua Direita carlos Eugénio west — is still in good condition and the government is currently considering renovating it into a theme park chronicling the firecrackers industry.