The splendid 23rd Macau International Fireworks Display Contest comes to a fruitful end as Panda Fireworks Group Co., Ltd., from China netted the top prize, while Tamaya Kitahara Fireworks Co., Ltd., from Japan and Brezac Artifices from France took second and third places at a ceremony held at the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Center on October 1. Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau SAR Government Cheong U, Macau Government Tourist Office Director João Manuel Costa Antunes, Deputy Directors Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes and Manuel Pires attended the prize giving ceremony. A performance of traditional "Nanping Music" from Sichuan Jiujiagou Valley, part of China National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, as part of the prize giving ceremony. Cash prize to the winner is US$8,000, while prizes to the first and second runners-up are US$4,000 and US$2,500 respectively. The organizer purposely invited teams with distinguished performances in international contests. Over the years, there were internationally known fireworks companies participated in the contest and this year, MGTO invited 10 companies from various countries and regions to Macau. This edition featured ten teams from Canada, Korea, Japan, UK, Austria, Chinese Taiwan, the Philippines, Portugal, France and Mainland China, with Canadian team being a debut in the contest. During the ceremony MGTO Director said that, "among the ten participating teams, nine have previously participated at the Contest, some of them have won the event, and its talent is unanimously recognized. I truly believe that the displayed fireworks shows presented very colorful and offered lasting memories to visitors and residents." The organizer arranged China's Panda Fireworks Group Co. Ltd. to present the last fireworks show to celebrate the 62nd Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China. Crowds of residents and visitors enjoyed the fireworks during the National Day holiday at various spots of Macau and Taipa, adding festive and joyful atmosphere to the city. This year MGTO and Companhia de Telecomunicações de Macau S.A.R.L. (CTM) jointly launch "SMS Game" to promote citizen participation in the event. Organized by Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO), the Macau International Fireworks Display Contest has a history of 23 years and receives wide accolades and recognitions. The annual glamorous fireworks display contest, together with the colorful activities, has become a signature event that brings splendid experience to the public and visitors in Macau. To add festive atmosphere to the fireworks display contest, MGTO and the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau jointly presented the Fireworks Carnival on the shorefront beside the Macau Tower on each of the fireworks display nights, offering an array of live entertainment, cultural activities and culinary delights.
