For two consecutive nights, the sky was splashed with artistically designed flares of light in various shades of rich, vibrant colour, turning it into a virtual celestial paradise. Gorgeous, fleeting shapes spread out to chase away the dark of night as tonnes of fireworks were jetted 190 – 250 metres into the air by computerized firing systems, much to the exhilaration of some 500,000 spectators present. Even the roofs of hotels and high-rise buildings in the city that offered favourable views were fully booked by enthusiastic revellers eager to watch the biggest musically choreographed fireworks displays ever organized in the country.
Underlying the sheer enjoyment and amazement experienced by all who attended the fireworks extravaganza was a sense of suspence and anticipation, as DIFC 2008 was, after all, a competition. Teams from four countries, Pyromagic Productions (Hong Kong), David Whysall International Fireworks (Canada), Pyro- Splendour (Malaysia), and a team from host country Vietnam vied to be selected as the best of the best. Each team was allotted 20 minutes for their presentation, which was judged based on the general concept, choice and variety of colours, originality in manufacturing and utilization, rhythm of fire, volume of effects and quality of construction. The correlation and synchronization between fireworks and music was, as always, a major consideration. Amongst the jury panel were Vice Head of the Photography and Exhibition Agency, UNESCO’s Cultural Ambassador to Vietnam, the South Korean Ambassador to Vietnam, and the Russian Consul General in Da Nang.
“Although all the teams are commended for doing a fantastic job in entertaining us all, there could only be one winner,” said DIFC 2008 master orchestrator Joe Ghazzal. At the end of the day, Team Canada was declared champion for its inspired, mesmerizing routine, and was awarded an exalted trophy together with an invitation to participate in the Malaysia International Fireworks Competition (MIFC) 2008, which will be held in Kuala Lumpur this August. Invited to comment on their experience of participating in DIFC 2008, David Whysall shared on behalf of Team Canada: “The organisation was superb from start to finish. Every aspect was fully addressed. Transportation, hotel, food, equipment, on-site security, technical knowledge and assistance, and Global’s fabulous team, were all first class.” |
said that the purpose of hosting DIFC 2008 was to attract more tourists to the city, in pursuit of the goal to change Da Nang into a centre of Economic Motivation of central Vietnam and the Central Highlands. The central government also lent their support to the event approving import and value added tax exemptions for fireworks transported through the Da Nang Sea Port.
In addition to the highlight of the grand musical fireworks competition, there was also a wide range of cultural activities as well as ceramic exhibitions and a cuisine fair. At the conclusion of the historic occasion, young girls enchantingly dressed in traditional Vietnamese costumes released 20,000 flower garlands into the water. “Vietnamese and Da Nang people are so warm. They created a real effervescent atmosphere for the contest,” said Ghazzal. Due to the fantastic response to DIFC 2008, it was indicated that this would become an annual event for the country.
|
