Uhmm sorry I was wrong.... it's going to display in Queec not in Monreal..... I'm really sorry .... ;-)

Just a brief note about Pirofantasia: They were disqualified in Hannover due to extensive use of salutes. However just that gives them an advantage in some forum members eyes ;-)

Usually they do very nice displays and they have great colors - and noice!

I suppose some competitions establish strict rules about the usage of salutes, among other things. I don't believe there's any existing rules prohibiting extensive use of salutes at our competition, or else there would be quite a few competitors that I can think of in the past that would have been disqualified already! The only thing I can remember that called for disqualification was the use of "parachute shells", which were used by Bugano (Switzerland) in 1999.

Long time no see, Lars. Thanks for providing a little background regarding Pirofantasia. Based on what you described, I would love to see them represent Spain at our competition one of these good years, especially with them being known for their noise (display packed with salutes)!

Happy new year to you.

Trav.

Rovira wrotes:

I have heard that the entrance for this year from Spain is a new entry !!!!!!!! PIROFANTASIA is going to represent Spain on the Montreal competition.

I can't confirm anything about the involvement of Pirofantasia in the 2009 Montreal competition, but (a) I discussed with someone from this Spanish firm who was at La Ronde last summer and (b) it is the Spanish entrant to the Quebec City competition. Pirofantasia is another company belonging to the Caballer's pyro-dynasty.

Nick Mitri from Fireworks for Africa will also compete to the Quebec competition. I suspect that he will do the Montreal one too, as he did in 2006. If the Montreal competition allows Mitri to produce a display in both competitions, I can't see why it would not do the same for Pirofantasia or any other participant...

For those interested, the line-up for 2009 Quebec competition is here: http://www.lesgrandsfeux.com/fr/programmation.php

Fred

Interesting to see that Archangel fireworks from Manitoba (who were our Canadian Fireworks Association convention hosts in Winnipeg in April 2008) are competing for Canada in the Quebec competition.

Paul.

Any idea on when we can expect the full company list for our competitors? It was supposed to be revealed since the 11th of December, but that's perfectly alright with me, as it keeps the anticipation going during this month - the longer the better, I suppose.

Other than that, quite a blizzard out there!

Trav.

Fireworks for Africa will also compete to the Quebec competition. I suspect that he will do the Montreal one too, as he did in 2006. If the Montreal competition allows Mitri to produce a display in both competitions, I can't see why it would not do the same for Pirofantasia or any other participant...

Yes, I guess it's true... However, I think the case of Africa will be just an exception. Also England and Spain are going to compete in both competitions, and I don't think it will be with the same competitors.

I've seen some dislays from Pyrofantasia, and I have to say they weren't very special. Their way to display fireworks is from my point of view very classic, too much simple. I think they haven't the level to compete in Montreal. I don't know why, but I think Caballer will represent Spain this year. In the last half year Caballer has shot some pyromusicals here in Spain, more than usual, and as it happened with Ricardo Caballer in 2005 it could be like a test for what they are going to do in a future (maybe Montreal?). In September 2004 Ricardo Caballer display in Sueca a Pyromusical very similar to the Pyromusical we saw in Montreal just some months ater (less butget and lenght but with the same music and the same structure).

From England it could be Pains Fireworks or even Kimbolton (I would prefer the first one, but maybe it will be the second one due to Pains Firewoks was in Montreal only two seasons ago.)

Any idea on when we can expect the full company list for our competitors?

Smoke, I was told in December by La Ronde's PR that the full listing should be out beginning of 2009 and to watch out the web site... which i did so far... but except big typo mistakes, i didn't notice anything new on there...

Archangel Fireworks has won the HSBC Celebration of Lights competition, held in Vancouver, the past two years in a row. Since the Quebec competition is the sister of the Vancouver competition, it only seems natural that Archangel would compete there next.

Good luck to all the teams competing in Quebec this year.

Sean

Hi Smoke

Yes it's been a while
I'm sure you will like Pirofantasia. They have good products including elegant glittering effects, brilliant colors - not to mention their excessive use of salutes that you like so much

I got the second place in the Hannover competition with the Danish team this year. Interméde from France got the first which was very well deserved. They did a highly artistic show a bit like Féérie's show last year (i think it was?). And they maybe had only 5% Chinese material - the rest was top of the line from the manufactures you so often celebrate on this forum - with good reason.

Have fun with the 2009 competition!

Kind regards,
Lars

Hi Lars,

Ah...the execessive use of chest-thumping salutes...that's music to my ears!

Congratulations to both you and the Danish team in being awarded second place at the Hannover competition. Best of luck in any future displays you attempt to concoct.

We'll certainly have fun with the 2009 competition, particularly in hopes of seeing some very innovative displays (being the 25th anniversary and all) and of course, some incredibly vehement finales and faux finales. We've long been overdue for a season with many strong fireworks finales, and it certainly feels fitting for it to occur in 2009!

Hope to see you around whenever time permits you.

Trav.

Hi Everyone,

Just thought you'd like to know that Pains Fireworks have been invited to take part in the 2009 competition for England. If their performance in 2007 was anything to go by, I am looking forward to seeing what they have to offer this year.

Pyro

Thank you very much for this wonderful information, Pyro. The performance by Pains Fireworks at Montreal in 2007 was exquisitely crafted and was enough to win England the Gold Jupiter that year. I very much look forward to their display this coming Summer with much anticipation.

Trav.

Salut les pyromaniaques

I'm back..!!!! Salut Fred....
J'ai suivi les feux de glace du Vieux port mais pas tous...Je retiens entre autre l'excellente présentation de FAE....
Et voilà que nous recevons l'horaire des feux de Montréal. Cà veut dire que cà s'en vient.....Hélas on ne connait pas les firmes qui représenteront les pays ...SI Royal représente le Québec....je serai là pour les encourager à défaut de pouvoir faire partie du jury 25 ième.
Je reviens sur le forum...Salut tout le monde.

Has anyone heard anything regarding the full competitor list for 2009, or at least any rumors as to who might be representing the remainder of our mystery competitors that we have yet to figure out? So far, we know that Royal is representing Canada, and Pains Fireworks for England. The other six?

This is the longest the process has ever taken to reveal the entire detailed list - most of the time, everything is uncovered near mid December (the exception of January for that of 2004...special anniversary schedules link to delays perhaps?). Revealing everything one by one with time is quite entertaining as it is exciting, of course.

Happy Valentine's Day to all. And by the way, there are 34 days until Spring's arrival in the Northern hemisphere...Time to jump for joy.

Trav.