http://www.mondialsaq.com/EN/

Australia
Saturday, June 18 2005

France
Saturday, June 25 2005

Argentina
Saturday, July 2 2005

Sweden
Saturday, July 9 2005

Spain
Wednesday, July 13 2005

Czech Republic
Saturday, July 16 2005

Portugal
Wednesday, July 20 2005

Canada
Saturday, July 23 2005

United States
Wednesday, July 27 2005

La Ronde
Saturday, July 30 2005

Hehe, the names of the companies aren't released yet though However, I can "guess" at least three (Australia, Argentina and Sweden).

Paul.

I'm currently looking at Spain and I'm dying to know which firm it is!

Guys,

WELL NOW..............This is most unexpected! I didn't know that the schedule was released so early! This is a big surprise, indeed! Well, as Paul said, we still have to wait for the firms representing these nations.

I'm also very very very happy that Spain is there! I have a feeling that it's going to be either Caballer or Igual! This is great! I wish IPON was there, too, though. Anyways, it looks like another intense competition next year. As always, Canada and the U.S, back to back.

There's also a new country that I've noticed: Czech Republic. I don't think I remember them at all since I've been attending the competition since 1990. This is a big surprise!

Well, Enkil, I've also realized that your prediction about Sweden participation was correct. They're here!

I'll have my predictions on the firms up soon for the rest of the countries, however.....I've got this gut instinct that next year's competition will be an incredible year for some reason...........

Regards,

Trav.

Trav,

You're right that it's early that the schedule is released - but thats okay, right?

Regarding the firms:

I don't think it will be Vicente or Igual since they have just been here - though it would be nice. Still, there are a lot of other competent firms like Ricardo Caballer, Turis/Arco Iris, Zaragozana etc.

It could be groovy if france was represented by Groupe F (who did the millenium on the Eiffel-tower)

For portugal - i hope for Luso!

If the Czech republic is represented by Privatex Pyro i believe you guys have something to look forward to - they have a very special way of doing a finale!

Lets wait eagerly for the company names to be released...

Regards,
Lars

Lars,

Does you know if Czech Republic has ever participated before? Since I started attending the competition in 1990, I don't think I recall them, although they could've been in between 1985-1989.

I'll have more on my predictions of the firms later on. However, I'm sure that Spain's firm will be Caballer, if not Igual and vice versa. That would be sweet, especially that intense show that they did this year.

As for Portugal, lets just say that I'm hoping for the same firm that played in 2002, which was, as you say, Luso Pirotechnia, LDA. I'm also sure that Ampleman will be representing Canada and for some reason I think Atlas will be for U.S.A. More later.

Anyways, good to hear from you, Lars.

Regards,

Trav.

Wow! C'est toute une surprise que nous fait La Ronde en dévoilant dès maintenant les dates des prochains feux et les pays qui seront représentés! Depuis quelques années, ces informations n'étaient divulguées qu'en janvier, avec l'identité des firmes en compétition. Sans doute ce dévoilement hâtif s'inscrit-il dans une stratégie de marketing visant à stimuler la vente des billets en profitant de la période des Fêtes. Espérons pour la vitalité de l'événement que cette opération aura des retombées positives... Il faudra surveiller si une campagne publicitaire sera lancée dans les journaux au cours des prochains jours.

Au sujet des informations qui nous sont dévoilées, la première bonne nouvelle est le nombre de présentations: nous aurons donc droit à 10 feux, dont neuf en compétition! Il aurait été légèrement décevant de n'avoir "que" neuf feux... et très décevant d'en avoir encore moins! Au terme de l'édition 2005, 190 spectacles pyrotechniques, dont 166 en compétition, auront été présentés dans le cadre du Concours depuis 1985 par des firmes provenant de 22 pays. Il est aussi intéressant qu'il y ait neuf participants. Sous réserve de la qualité des feux présentés et des budgets alloués à leur production, on peut s'attendre à ce que Le Mondial SAQ demeure la compétition la plus importante pour cette année. À ce chapitre, le véritable test viendra en 2006, puisque l'entente de 5 ans entre La Ronde et la SAQ prend fin en 2005.

Une deuxième bonne nouvelle réside dans les pays représentés par les participants. Il est certain qu'une recrue fera son entrée sur les rampes de La Ronde sous le drapeau de la République tchèque puisqu'aucune firme - pour répondre à la question de Smoke/Trav - de ce pays n'a été en compétition dans l'histoire du concours montréalais. Une autre recrue en provenance de Suède est à prévoir. La seule participation d'une firme suédoise remonte à 1994 (Fyrverkeri Expert.); il serait étonnant que celle-ci soit de retour en 2005. On note enfin la présence d'une firme d'Amérique latine (Argentine). La représentation de ces pays est à mon avis une bonne nouvelle parce qu'elle marque la continuité d'un renouvellement artistique amorcé vers 2002-2003, avec le recrutement de firmes portugaise et belge en 2002, puis de cinq autres recrues en 2003. Rappelons-nous que vers la fin des années 1990, le calendrier prenait souvent l'allure d'une rotation entre les mêmes firmes, qui semblaient alors constituer un véritable club sélect. En ce sens, je pense qu'il faut saluer le travail accompli par Martyne Gagnon et Paul Csukassy de La Ronde, qui confectionnent chaque année la programmation depuis le départ de Giovanni Panzera.

Parmi les pays représentés, deux absences doivent être soulignées. Premièrement, pour la première fois depuis 1999, aucune firme asiatique n'est présente au tableau des participants. Deuxièmement, on aurait pu s'attendre à la venue d'une recrue mexicaine en 2005. On sait que les artificiers qui aspirent à une participation doivent d'abord venir observer au moins un feu d'artifice à La Ronde. Or, on a pu voir des artificiers d'une firme mexicaine lors de plusieurs feux l'été dernier et je crois même que l'un d'eux a déjà écrit dans ce forum que son équipe préparait une surprise pour Montréal... Il faut cependant reconnaître qu'une firme intéressée à venir à Montréal peut demeurer sur la liste d'attente de La Ronde pendant quelques années... Mais je fais le pari qu'il y aura des feux du Mexique dans le ciel de Montréal en 2006 ou 2007! En outre, malgré les performances de Pyro Spectacular d'Afrique du Sud dans certaines compétitions internationales, on remarque aussi que le continent africain demeurera encore le seul à ne jamais avoir été représenté au Concours.

Finalement, on peut s'amuser à deviner quelles seront les firmes en compétition en 2005... D'une manière générale, je pense qu'on peut prévoir que les firmes ayant été recrutées au cours des dernières années mais qui n'avaient pas remporté le Jupiter d'or (ou un Jupiter, tout simplement) ont été réinvitées. Partant de ce principe, je soupçonne que nous verrons à l'oeuvre Brezac (recrue en 1997 et 2e participation en 2001, sans Jupiter malgré deux prestations excellentes et créatives) ou Arc-en-Ciel (recrue 2003) de France, Cienfuegos d'Argentine (recrue 2003) et Luso Pirotécnia du Portugal (recrue et Jupiter d'argent 2002). Dans ce dernier cas, j'espère fortement avoir raison puisque le feu de Luso en 2002 avait été une magnifique production qui, à mon avis, aurait mérité pleinement le Jupiter d'or.

Tel que mentionné ci-haut, il est acquis que la République tchèque sera représentée par une recrue, possiblement une firme ayant déjà participé aux Grands feux Loto-Québec il y a quelques années et dont je ne peux retrouver l'identité pour le moment. Je suis également convaincu qu'une recrue représentera la Suède. N'y aura-t-il que deux recrues pour l'édition 2005? J'en doute. Puisqu'aucune nouvelle firme n'a pu être représentée en 2004 en raison de l'édition spéciale du 20e anniversaire, je prédis qu'il y aura une ou deux autres recrues. Elles pourraient être d'Australie, d'Espagne (Antonio Caballer a participé plusieurs fois aux compétitions de Québec, Hull et Vancouver...), du Canada ou des États-Unis.

La prochaine étape de cette marche vers l'édition 2005 du Mondial SAQ sera le dévoilement des firmes en compétition. Paul, connaissez-vous la date du dévoilement?

Frédérick

Hi Trav

According to the official website there have been no participants from the Chezh Republic so far...

And i'm not sure that you're right about Caballer and Igual... Pahaps Ricasa/Ricardo Caballer or Antonio Caballer, but i believe it would be a turnoff for Vicente and Igual to compete in a normal year right after last years aniversary
But that's just my believe - you might as well be right

Regarding france - pahaps Prestatech could be a possibility? They have won some competitions here in Europe... Or Brezac, Cuturier, Féerie pahaps? Though i still believe it could be a scoop if Groupe F shows up to defend their prestigious reference-list...

Lars

I can't see Igual or Caballer competing again this year, like Lars said, it doesn't make sense. There are many more world class companies in Spain that can compete and put on an amazing show. Once again, I agree with Lars, I'll guess either Turis or Zaragozana.

Same with the US. There are tons of companies that can compete, not just Atlas. Companies like Premier, Glorious, and Wolverine, just to name a few.

The most important one, is the Canadian entry. There are many up and coming companies in Canada capable of a world class competition show. Appleman is getting old and don't deserve to compete. My predication is Fireworks Spectaculars from Calgary, Alberta. They have won GlobalFest two years in a row. They have won the Great Canadian Fireworks Competition twice, and have put on large displays in Calgary and Ottawa. If they are invited, they will give any company in the world a run for the Gold Jupitor.

Sean

Hello Lars,

Maybe you're right, but the reason why I think it's either these firms for Spain, Igual or Caballer is because they're very popular Spanish firms and are popular in Montreal because of their frequent representation in all the years they've competed here. On the other hand, you could be very well right because it has been those same firms most of the time, so therefore it could be the other firms that you proposed.

Sweden, I think it would be the same firm in 1994, Fyrverkeri Expert. For the U.S.A, somthing is telling me that it's Atlas, I don't know why, just a prediction.

I also feel the same about Ampleman because they were just doing the opening show along with the Circus Orange performance and something is telling me that they will compete as an official entrant next year. Once again, just a prediction.

For Portugal, I'm still sticking with Luso Pirotecnia, LDA from 2002, like your prediction, Lars.

Argentina, I'm predicting the firm from 1995. They were pretty good that year.

Can't say much on Czech Republic since they've never competed before. Australia, I'm guessing Explosives Entertainment International or Syd Howard Fireworks International from 2000.

Finally, Frnace, I'm guessing either Société Étienne Lacroix or Brezec Artifices.

Any other thoughts, Lars? This is quite exciting!

Regards,

Trav.

Firemaster,

It really makes no difference to me of who it is, but it's the thrill of not knowing which firm it is that gets us going as enthusiastically as ever! I'm also very delighted that we know which countries will be participating!

We'll just have to wait and see when it's officially released. In the meantime, lets continue making predictions.

Do you have any thoughts on the other firms, Sean?

Regards,

Trav.

I can tell you guys that the Swedish company will *not* be the one from 1994. I do know who it is but cannot reveal any of the competitors until they are officially released.

Also, Explosives Entertainment of Australia are out of the fireworks business so it won't be them. I did meet the people from the company that will be representing Australia though but, as I said, I can't reveal the name. As for Argentina, don't forget that there was a company from there in 2003.

Paul.

Frederick,

Sorry for the late reply. Anyways, thx for answering my question. I knew that Czech Pebuplic was never here before! I just wasn't sure if they were in the years 1985-1989, since because I've been attending the competition since 1990, I didn't reacall them at all.

I'm also pleased to hear that we may have Mexican fireworks firms for Montreal in either 2006 or in 2007, as you say. That's new and cool!

Anyways, you've got some good insight on which firms may be participating. I've agreed with some of what you've said!

And, as I was telling Firemaster and Lars, it is very exciting to guess the possible entrants!

Thanks for your details and predictions, Frederick!

Regards,

Trav.

Paul,

Really? Then I guess I'll have to withdraw from my guess of that firm for Sweden. That's the only firm that I'm familiar with for Sweden, so I can't predict one for them. I'll have to wait and see. This is good, in a way, since we may experience something different. I guess I'll also have to end my prediction of my first choice for Australia. As for Argentina, I completely forgot about the firm in 2003, so I'll now consider Cienfuegos as part of my prediction. For some wild reason, I believe it's them.

Man, it's hard to believe that it was almost a year ago when we were predicting the firms and countries for this year's authentic competition!

Ever since I got that e-mail from Mondial SAQ about the new schedule and seeing this thread, I was frantic!

Trav.

Hi Trav,

Regarding Australia - Explosive Entertainment is the new name for Syd Howard Fireworks, and i believe they would invite Foti first. But there are still other opportunities - paul probably knows

And Cienfuegos would be a guess for the argentinian firm. I actually don't know much about the companies in that geografical area...

And Trav, since Lacroix-ruggieri (former Etienne Lacroix) "just left the building" they'll probably have to save up a few years before attending again It'll probably be either Brezac, Prestatech, Couturier, Féerie or Groupe F.

For the Czech republic: I did see a fantastic show by a Czech firm some years ago. Their finale was most innovative and I never saw anyone do it this way before. If it's this company you have something surprising to look forward to i believe
However i don't want to mention the company name since it could be an airy predictions that was false...

Lars

It is not a good news to learn that Explosive Entertainment is out the business, since this company have produced good displays and had an original artistic viewpoint (many displays were organized around a specific theme, like Romeo and Juliette in 2003). Their website is on-line yet, but it has not been updated since a long time:

http://www.explosive-entertainment.net/

Smoke, I did not make an announcement about a Mexican display. I just suspect that, but I am not sure. Many professionals, as these Mexicans, are at La Ronde each year during the competition, but it is not a guarantee that they will compete.

Finally, I repeat my question for Paul: Do you know when the name of companies are going to be released by La Ronde?

Frédérick

The company names are normally released in January, around the 20th if memory serves me. There were times in the past when they announced everything in November. Then, more recently, they announced the dates in December (as now) but not the companies or countries.

All the companies competing, though, know the names in November. It was killing me last year not to give the game away since I also knew then too!

Paul.

Hey guys,

I just got back from Christmas shopping! Really hectic out there!

Lars, thank you for bringing it to my attention that former Explosive Entertainment is now "Syd Howard Fireworks" and that Lacroix Ruggieri is out of business. Obviously, I didn't know this, so therefore, I'm going to have to flip around some of my predictions once more. As Fred said, it's a shame to lose them because I do know that they've done some very nice displays in the past when I witnessed them.

Anyways, yes, I was sure that the names of the firms were released in January. Paul, this is going to be an interesting year.

Fred, sorry about the misunderstanding. I thought the way you were saying it was definite. However, the possibility exists! Having a Mexican firm would be nice!

Finally, in my own opinion, I'm happy that the regular awards are back (gold, silver and bronze). For somereason, I find that it makes things more exciting, especially during the closing show. It also stimulates more discussion on 3 places on the podium. In this context, I'm happy it's a regular year.

Regards,

Trav.

Trav,

you're reading too fast. Lacroix-Ruggieri is certainly not out of business, it's Explosive Entertainment that's not doing fireworks anymore. Also, you have it backwards too: Syd Howard became Explosive Entertainment after Syd retired from the business. Howard and Sons (the other side of the family) are still in business; apparently the Howard brothers haven't spoken for years.

As for Mexico, they did have a team in the early days of the competition. If you speak to anyone who was there at the time, you'll understand why there haven't been any teams from Mexico since.

Paul.

Paul,

Oops, sorry. You're right, I guess I was reading too fast! Like I said, I did a lot of running up and down with all that Christmas shopping, so I guess I was reading the posts awkwardly because I was pretty much half asleep! My appologies to Lars and Fred.

Anyways, thx for the clearing up! There have been a lot of changes.

Regards,

Trav.

Why does this have to happen during exam periodes

I was wondering, if they know which country will participate, then how come they can't confirm the company? I mean it's not like they can change the countries?

It's called Marketing. Create a buzz, get people talking. There's still a lot of time between now and next June and so by releasing information in smaller chunks, it gets people talking and anticipating the next press release. Plus, there is a chance that not 100% of the companies are confirmed. This has happened in the past, even though the countries were chosen.

Paul.

Marketing is a very powerful tool, especially about fireworks. The most fundamental concept of it is build up, especially when one links advertising, excitement and time! And, as Paul said, it's the anticipation we feel when info is released in small parts. This really gets people, like all of us are presently doing on this forum, talking about it. In this case, fireworks. And personally, you can really feel the excitement when information is released in small amounts! It makes you look foward to the next set of info!

BTW, guys, we're making good progress. It's been almost 5 months since the competition closed. We have roughly 6 months before the first display (Australia) of the 2005 competition! Talking with you guys really kills time!

Regards,

Trav.

Paul,

Regarding the Mexican team in the early days of the competition, do you know if they presented in between 1985-1989? I started attending in 1990, but my memory is vague of the competitors back then, so I would not remember if they went that year or in 1991 or 92. Also, I think I remember a little less amounts of displays back then than now i.e. today we have usually 10 displays, including the closing and sometimes the opening and back then I recall roughly 7-8 competitors plus the closing.

Regards,

Trav.

The fourth display showed in 1985 has been produced by a Mexican team, Fonart. No other company from this country has competed since that time.

On June 9, 1985, in La Presse, the title of Georges Lamon's paper about this show was "Les feux mexicains un peu décevants"...

Frédérick

Fred,

Thanks for the response. I have another related question.

Does anyone know where I can find the schedules for the years 1985-1992? I just want to see the firms and countries that played at those times. Plus, I want to see the participants when I first watched the competition back in 1990. This is because I barely remember the competitors back then.

Regards,

Trav.

You just have to look on Mondial SAQ's website:

http://www.lemondialsaq.com/fr/Competition/Participants.asp

Fred

I also have a list of all the competitors and their themes from the beginning of the competition up until now. I just haven't got around to making a page out of it yet!

One day ...

Paul.

Fred and Paul,

Believe me, I would've gone to the Mondial SAQ website in the first place, but I always get an error message when trying to access the site.

Paul, I look foward to that day! I would like to see the competitors in the mid to late 80's.

Regards,

Trav.

Fredbastien, what does this mean:

"Les feux mexicains un peu décevants"...

I'm not that good at french...

Lars