I met with Fernando Macedo, patriarch of the now 4-generation fireworks family together with the designer of the display Diogo Vasconcelos, a relatively new recruit to the company.
Macedos last competed in 2010, a year that was strongly contested, as well as in 2006, another strong year. Both times they were pipped to the post. Fernando said that winning in competitions is important for his company and was pleased to note they just came second in Pamplona, in Spain, where even the locals acknowledged they had the best display.
Diogo explained the theme of this year’s display is essentially a history of Portugal’s discoveries around the world, represented in eight thematic elements covering Africa, Asia, as well as Brazil with music that reflects the cultures of these places.
On the pyrotechnic side, Fernando told me that 40% of the products used are produced in his factory, with the remaining 60% coming from Lidu in China. There will be many special effects that are typical of Portugal, including relampagos (sequenced photoflashes) tremidas (a type of strobes) as well as others that are not directly translatable but something like a cross between “bees” and “go-getters”. Portugal is renowned for rockets, but none will be used as they’re too unpredictable fora pyromusical. Fernando also noted that he needed more mortars than were immediately available on site.
Five positions on ramps 1 and 2 will be used, as well as 13 on ramp 3, five on ramp 5 (the pontoons) but probably nothing on ramp 4. The display is being fired using 100 32-cue FireOne modules, with around 3000 cues – a first for Macedos as they normally use the wireless FireMaster system. I did sense a tiny bit of trepidation about using an unfamiliar system. Diogo said parts of the display had been visualized with some in-house software he had created.
Inviting the audience come to La Ronde, Fernando joked that they would all be there to see him, but, in seriousness, he said he wanted people to come and experience the pride and history of the Portuguese.