The Nam Van Lake is a prime location to enjoy the firework display contest in Macao. Macao Government Tourist Office

Following the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony's stunning fireworks display, Macao is set to dazzle the world with spectacular colored sparkles at its annual fireworks display contest which will be held on September 13, 14, 20, 27 and October 1.

Wynn Macau - 20th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest, organized by Macao Government Tourist Office (MGTO), will highlight the celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day of China, as the skyrocket and pyrotechnic stars will be candling the festive nights.

Sponsored by Wynn Macau, the fireworks display contest is believed to receive rapturous applause from tourists and residents in the city.

"I believe the annual Fireworks Display Contest would satisfy the audience while bringing wonderful memories to visitors and citizens," said Joao Manuel Costa Antunes, director of MGTO.

The contest will be held above the sea area in front of the Macau Tower. Ten teams will take part in fireworks displays in the territory where pyrotechnics were originally invented for entertainment purposes - a natural extension of the Chinese invention of gunpowder.

As September 14 and October 1 fall on Mid-Autumn Festival and China's National Day, teams from Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia and the Chinese mainland will deploy their skills to add extra sparkle to the celebrations, according to MGTO.

This year again, each participating team will play music in sync with the explosions, to regale the audience with a breathtaking light and sound show.

To make the shows more exciting, the organizer will install sound systems at the waterfront of the Macau Tower Outdoor Plaza and along the Macau Tower Street seaside, as well as at the square in front of Kun Iam Statue on Avenue Dr Sun Yat Sen so that the public can enjoy synchronized music with the rapturous displays.

The annual international fireworks display has gained worldwide recognition and many globally renowned pyrotechnic companies have participated in the contest.

This year teams from Germany, South Korea, Japan, the United Kingdom, Portugal, the Philippines, France, Australia and the Chinese mainland as well as Taiwan province will battle it out for five consecutive nights.

Artifices JCO SA, a pyrotechnic company based in France, won the competition last year with its breathtaking display. Taiwan came second while Japan won the third position.

Tamaya Art Pyro Technics, a Japanese fireworks maker, won the championship in both 2004 and 2005.

They employ the latest techniques in producing fireworks and perform more than 150 fireworks shows a year in China, the US and Europe.

During the fireworks display nights, the public can enjoy an array of live entertainment, cultural activities and culinary delights at the Fireworks Carnival 2008 :

Venue: Adjacent to Macau Tower
Time: 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Admission free
Organizers: Macau Government Tourist Office, General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau

For more information of the events, please go to organizer Macau Government Tourist Office's website www.macautourism.gov.mo.

(China Daily September 24, 2008)