The Chinese were hailed the best, the Koreans came in second, and the French took the third place, also receiving the honourable mention for the best illustration to Chopin’s music. This was the verdict of the jury of the 3rd International Fireworks Festival Pyromagic 2010.

The audience did not disappoint, as it came to Wały Chrobrego in great numbers, despite the Saturday downpour. The shows by fireworks companies from France, China, South Korea, and Poland were admired by over 120 thousand people for two days. A fair, as well as a competition of dragon boats, and the great “Unity Line Yacht Race” were prepared for residents and tourists.

The International Fireworks Festival Pyromagic 2010 is the largest event of its kind in Poland. Each show consisted of two parts, and lasted 18 minutes. The first 3 minutes of the presentation, connected with the celebrations of Chopin Year, were performed to Chopin’s Scherzo b-moll op. 31 No.2. Another 15 minutes of the performance was accompanied by the music suggested by the participant.

The Cup of the Mayor of the City for the best fireworks show was awarded to FORWARD FIREWORKS COMPANY Ltd., which started its activities 15 years ago in Liuyang – the city of fireworks. Currently it is a leading Governmental enterprise, and is engaged mainly in the manufacture of various professional fireworks, whose production is increasing on an annual basis. By introducing Japan and Italian technologies, the company perfectly combines advance technology with traditional craftsmanship, producing this way high-quality fireworks.

The South Korean company HANWHA CORPORATION FIREWORKS was ranked second. It was established in 1952 and have participated in numerous international festivals, and have organised fireworks shows and major pyromusical projects.

The third place in the contest and cup for the best illustration of Frederic Chopin’s music went to French company INTERMÈDE, composed of: musicians, photographers, producers, designers, engineers and historians. The company’s mission is to develop fire art, extending it to new horizons. The company has participated in numerous international pyrotechnical shows, at which it ranked very highly, thereby becoming widely known in the international pyrotechnical market.

An extra attraction at the end of the Festival was fireworks presentation by the technical organiser - SUREX – Firma Rodzinna from Bielsko-Biała. The company has been in operation for 17 years, during which time it has participated in many international festivals, contests and important events, and also organised numerous pyrotechnical events.
SUREX’s show was very beautiful and extraordinary – fires were shot from a moving riverboat.

Apart from the colourful show, the Chrobry Walls were also the venue for incredible concerts of electronic music stars, as part of the Electronic Music Festival MUSIC Wave – Szczecin Live. Polish and foreign artists representing electronic music performed on a special stage built on water. The performers included, among others, AQUAVOICE, that is Tadeusz Łuczejko, and Marek Biliński, who’s linked to Szczecin not only because he was born here – this is where his career started. He gave his first concert in 1993 on the Chrobry Walls, and recorded his debut album in the studio of the Polish Radio Szczecin. Another artist was POLARIS – a composer and synthesiser, who also performs and records as SCAMAL.
For the first time DJs performed at the end of both nights. The audience greatly enjoyed the music played by DJ Insect and DJ Samuel Wilde, even though it was heavily raining on the Saturday night.

According to spectators and festival participants the Szczecin weekend with fireworks and electronic music was very successful, so see you next year!

Visit the festival gallery