The 26th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest concluded splendidly. Hunan Jingtai Fireworks Co., Ltd. from China won the championship, followed by the fireworks teams from Spain and Australia in the second and third place respectively. The prize-giving ceremony was held at Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre and was attended by Director of Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and Deputy Director Cecilia Tse along with other guests. During her speech, Senna Fernandes remarked that Macau International Fireworks Display Contest has been held in Macau for 26 years in a row. Being the event organizer, MGTO has dedicated unreserved efforts to the annual extravaganza and never ceased bringing new dimensions into the show as the Office tries its best to upgrade the performance standard and take the audience to a new level of enjoyment while encouraging local residents to become part of the event. A new social network photo contest was held this year as well to let citizens upload their works to a themed page on Facebook and share with others online with a chance to win prizes. The top prize is 8,000 US dollars for the champion team in the contest whereas the second and third prizes are 4,000 US dollars and 2,500 US dollars respectively. Various famous fireworks 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 with the ten teams coming from Taiwan, China; China; Korea; Poland; Croatia; Portugal; Australia; France; Italy and Spain (according to the order in the contest). There were contestant teams coming from Croatia and Poland for the first time; the pyrotechnic companies from Spain and Australia also made their debut in Macau. The fireworks displayed by the teams from Italy and Spain culminated the finale's evening. A vast multitude of local citizens went out to see the fireworks shows on the National Day's holiday; including many visitors, different vantage points on Macau Peninsula and Taipa were bustled with spectators and alive with a festive ambience. MGTO organized the first edition of Macau International Fireworks Display Contest in 1989 and carried on the annual tradition till today. The contest enjoys wide recognition internationally nowadays, having become a great event which draws numerous visitations to Macau every year. Citizens equally look forward to the dazzling moments. Adding a joyful vibe to the holidays and festivals, the fireworks contest proudly stands as a signature event of Macau today. The Trophy Design Contest, Photo Contest, Student Drawing Contest, and SMS Game are held as a series of supporting events during the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest; Fireworks Carnival is also staged every fireworks evening, making the fireworks extravaganza a diverse and magnificent event of the year. This press release is available at MGTO Website: http://industry.macautourism.gov.mo
