“Wynn Macau – 20th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest” to kick off with shows from Germany and South Korea

“Wynn Macau – 20th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest” kicks off today (September 13) as the fireworks teams from Germany and Korea light up the sky of Macau with splendid fireworks. Teams from Japan and the United Kingdom will celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with their pyrotechnic skills tomorrow. Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau SAR Government Chui Sai On, Director of Macau Government Tourist Office João Manuel Costa Antunes and Jay Dee Clayton executive Vice President-operations of Wynn Macau officiate the opening ceremony at the Macau Tower Outdoor Plaza. Held on September 13, 14, 20, 27 and October 1 at the sea area across the Macau Tower, Wynn Macau – 20th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest has attracted ten teams from around the world to vie for the contest. The contest this year features ten teams from Germany, Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Chinese Taiwan, the Philippines, France, Australia and China; each will show off their pyrotechnic wizardry to spectators both from Macau and overseas. This year again, each participating team is requested to complement their display with music to enthrall the audience with a light and sound spectacular. MGTO will strive to improve year on year the quality of the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest to make it an event not to be missed for residents and visitors. To enhance the effect and audience enjoyment, sound systems are installed at the waterfront of the Macau Tower Outdoor Plaza, at the Macau Tower Street seaside and at the square in front of Kun Iam Statue on Ave. Dr Sun Yat Sen so that the public can enjoy synchronized music to the spectacular displays. Spectators are able to listen to live music of the fireworks displays through Radio Macau’s live broadcast at FM100.7. For the Mainland citizens to enjoy the marvelous fireworks and festive atmosphere of the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, Jiangsu Radio of Nanjing will broadcast a 2-hour live program at the Macau Tower with the help of MGTO. The two fireworks displays tonight will also be filmed and broadcasted on the channel of “Made in Hong Kong and Macau” on Jiangsu Metronet http://news.js.cn/zt/gangao/index.html for a period of 30 days. The teams taking part in this year’s contest are: NICO Lunig Event GmbH from Germany, Hanwha Corportation from Korea, Tamaya Art Pyro Technics from Japan, Pyro 2000 Fireworks from the United Kingdom, Macedo & Companhia Pirotecnia, Lda., from Portugal, Wan Dar Fireworks Mfg. Co. Ltd. from Chinese Taiwan, La Mancha Pyro, Inc. from the Philippines, Brezac-Artifices from France, Infinity Pyrotechnics from Australia and Liuyang Jiding Fireworks Manufacture Export Co. Ltd. from China. Each fireworks display will last for approximately 18 minutes, and there will be two displays per evening at 9pm and 10pm. To enhance the quality and attractiveness of the contest, MGTO have increased the production subsidy and cash prizes to the fireworks teams. The production subsidy has been raised from US$17,500 to US$20,000. Cash prize to the winner has increased from US$6,000 to US$8,000, while prizes to the first and second runners-up have increased from US$3,200 to US$4,000, and from US$1,800 to US$2,500 respectively. To further enhance the event, MGTO and the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau join hands again to present the Fireworks Carnival 2008 on the shorefront beside the Macau Tower. The opening ceremony of the Fireworks Carnival 2008 will be held today (September 13) at 7:30pm. Citizens can enjoy an array of live entertainment, cultural activities and culinary delights at the carnival between 5:00 - 11:00 p.m. on each of the fireworks display nights. Over 20 stalls offering snacks and souvenirs will also add sparkle to the party.