Mexican team wins the 21st International Fireworks Competition in Hannover (mit Bild)

Hannover (ots) -

The winner of the 21st International Fireworks Competition in
Hannover comes from Mexico! After its display yesterday evening (24
September), it was announced that first place went to the "Pirotecnia
Reyes? team. The outstanding presentation by the Mexican pyrotechnic
experts put them ahead of their rivals from Sweden, France, Spain and
Austria. The team from Mexico succeeded in captivating the audience
in the Great Garden with a brilliant fireworks choreography which had
been designed specially for this event. It also convinced the jury of
ten independent experts with its perfect rendering of the competition
requirements and a harmonious tapestry of pyrotechnic and musical
effects. Second place went to Austria, Spain finished third.

Hans Christian Nolte, Managing Director of Hannover Veranstaltungs
GmbH which organises this major global contest, was equally satisfied
with the course of the event: "Internationally respected top teams
took part, and for the 2012 International Fireworks Competition we
have already received a veritable deluge of applications from
numerous countries. This keen interest from the pyrotechnicians
confirms the worldwide reputation of the International Fireworks
Competition."

The contest takes place on five evenings between May and
September, together with a themed supporting programme geared to the
country of the performing team, and has meanwhile evolved into a real
tourist attraction. This year, a total of 49,000 visitors came to
Herrenhausen Gardens to admire the pyrotechnic artistry. Prior to the
actual fireworks, the audience could also watch displays of baroque
equestrian skills, flamenco, various performers as well as music and
dance acts, whilst enjoying a leisurely picnic in the baroque park.

The history of the family firm "Pirotecnia Reyes? dates back to
the year 1910. The present director Ignacio Manuel Arias Reyes is
meanwhile the third generation to manage the Mexican company ? and he
does so with great success. In 1992, the company won the national
"Pirotecniade Torre" in Tultepec. Since then it has displayed its
expertise at international venues, delighting spectators the world
over. Pirotecnia Reyes was awarded 3rd place in the 13th
International Fireworks Competition in Hannover in 2003.

The rules of the International Fireworks Competition are clearly
defined: the fireworks display has to last at least 22 minutes and
includes a compulsory section before the pyrotechnic experts can give
free rein to their creativity. When planning the displays, the teams
take their cue from the baroque gardens; they have to include a
specified number of ground elements, but other than that there are
very few restrictions as regards their inventiveness, choice of music
and imagery. In addition to the overall impression, the jury awards
marks for technical execution, technical perfection, the variety of
the different effects and the interpretation of the music.

The 22nd International Fireworks Competition will begin on 12 May
2012 with a display by this year's winners from Mexico. Ticket sales
are expected to begin in November.

Competition dates in 2012: 12 May, 9 June, 25 August, 8 September,
22 September.

For further information, visit: www.hannover.de/english Press

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