GERMANY: Fireworks light up the sky over Berlin in the first international firework competition.

A host of spectacular fireworks lit up the skies over Berlin on Friday (September 1), as the city hosted the first international firework competition. According to the organisers more than 10,000 spectators came to "Pyronale", which took place in the German capital's Olympic stadium. Six teams were selected in advance to take part in the competition - with Poland, China and Portugal battling it on on Friday evening. The firework displays from the Italian, British and Russian teams then took centre stage the following evening. Each 15-minute long firework display was required to contain a section set to music lasting between two to three minutes, and also a freestyle section on the theme of "my country" lasting around ten minutes. The winner of "Pyronale" was selected on Saturday (September 2) evening by a 12 member jury including well-known figures such as German fashion and jewellery designer Jette Joop and the musician Rudolf Schenker from the rock band "Scorpions", as well as journalists and firework experts. The competition's artistic direction, Gerhard Kaempfe, explained that the firework teams faced quite a challenge in what was expected of them by the jury. "It's about synchronising with music, discipline during the spatial presentation, creative feeling. On these two evenings, the jury really have lots of things to do. And we are now excited about finding out who is going to win," said Kaempfe. Alongside the verdict of the jury, the public also gives out its own prize. Friday evening's spectators were certainly impressed by the displays. Spectator Claudia Vranetzi promised to invite family from the island of Ruegen off the north German coast to the next Pyronale competition, and Thomas Franke said he appreciated the mixing of colours, effects and music. Manfred Boehse said he thought the competition was a great idea and expected that the event would take place again The event organisers now intend to make Pyronale an annual competition.

ITN Source | September 9, 2006

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