2012-09-10 — /travelprnews.com/ — 24th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest staged its première fireworks display tonight, featuring the wonderful performance from the Korean and Thailand teams and attracted a great number of citizens and visitors to enjoy.
Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau Special Administrative Region, Cheong U, Secretary-General of World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Taleb Rifai, Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macau Special Administrative Region, Feng Tie, Director of Department of Culture and Education of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macau Special Administrative Region, Liu Xiao Hang and Director of Macau Government Tourist Office, João Manuel Costa Antunes attended the Opening Ceremony of Macau International Fireworks Display Contest at the Macau Tower Outdoor Plaza.
24th Macau International Fireworks Display Contest is held at the Macau Tower shorefront from today until October 1. Among the show days, October 1 is China’s National Day, on which the contest will feature the fireworks teams from Italy and Mainland China.
The 10 participating teams this year are (according to the latest contest order) Korea; Thailand; Taiwan, China; Australia; Portugal; France; Japan; United States; Italy and Mainland China.
Each participating team is requested again this year to complement their display with music to enthrall the audience with a light and sound spectacular. To enhance the enjoyment, the organizer has installed sound systems at the Macau Tower Outdoor Plaza and its waterfront, as well as the Macau Tower Street seaside and the front square of Kun Iam Statue on Ave. Dr Sun Yat-Sen so that the public can enjoy synchronized music to the spectacular displays. Spectators can listen to live music of the fireworks displays through TDM – Radio Macau’s Chinese Channel live broadcast at FM100.7.
MGTO continues its cooperation with Companhia de Telecomunicações de Macau S.A.R.L. (CTM) to jointly present the “Macau International Fireworks Display Contest SMS Game” again this year in order to foster citizens’ participation in the event. During the contest period, CTM will send out text messages to their mobile subscribers and introduce the game, in addition to promoting the SMS game on the MGTO and CTM websites. Macau citizens can send a text message to CTM through their mobile to vote for their favorite team after each night of fireworks display. Citizens who have voted for the most popular team on that night are eligible for the lucky draw which will grant one winner with two sets of reservoir stand tickets for the 59th Macau Grand Prix (Saturday and Sunday) and souvenir. The 5 fireworks teams who get the most SMS votes will be awarded with “The People’s Choice” certificates and souvenirs. Nevertheless, the audiences’ voting result will not affect the jury’s decision on the fireworks display contest. MGTO will also post web banners on CTM’s website to enhance promotion efficiency.
MGTO continues to join hand with the General Union of Neighbors Association of Macau to present the “Fireworks Carnival 2012” at the area next to Macau Tower in order to add more fun and color to the fireworks display nights.
In order to enhance spectators’ enjoyment of the contest and to enrich the performance elements of the fireworks, MGTO will raise the subsidy given to the participating teams for fireworks materials by 25%, i.e. up to USD25,000, starting this year, while also increasing the correspondent support for fireworks materials delivery expense. Furthermore, to celebrate the silver anniversary of Macau International Fireworks Display Contest next year, MGTO will organize the Trophy Design Contest, which will not only foster participation and a deeper sense of involvement among the public but also inspire creativity among local design talents.
e-mail: media@macautourism.gov.mo