The Liuyang River in central China's Hunan Province glistened brilliantly under a breathtaking spectacle of fireworks during the 17th Liuyang Fireworks Cultural Festival, which opened on Oct 24.
A centerpiece of the two-day visual extravaganza was the 6th Liuyang Fireworks Competition, drawing six elite international teams from the United States, Japan, Hungary, Belgium, Sweden, and Slovenia.
Renowned as the "Hometown of Fireworks in China," Liuyang City boasts a remarkable concentration of 431 fireworks manufacturers, producing nearly 70 percent of the nation's total fireworks exports.
Working closely with local Chinese fireworks suppliers and installation crews, the visiting teams crafted imaginative and awe-inspiring pyrotechnic displays.
Each dazzling burst embodied the theme of "harmony in diversity," transcending cultural and linguistic boundaries to celebrate a universal passion for beauty and artistry.
Beyond the visual feast, the festival served as a vibrant platform for cultural exchanges and international cooperation, fostering meaningful connections among participants from across the globe.
Visiting pyrotechnicians expressed deep admiration for the event's grand scale, meticulous organization, and the genuine warmth extended by their Chinese counterparts.
"This festival is fantastic and very famous in the world. We work with the Chinese workers and our support company managers. They are very lovely people, and they work hard to realize our dreams. We made an imaginary journey on the Silk Road. It's a symbolic Silk Road from Hungary to China and from China back to Hungary," said Ferenc Toth, managing director of Nuvu Kft, a key player in the Hungarian pyrotechnics industry, both in service and trade.
"The first time I was in the Liuyang competition was 12 years ago, in 2013. And of course, I think it's a dream for every respected display company to come here and shoot fireworks in the very famous area of Liuyang. This is the place to be for fireworks. It's so huge, and the possibilities are incredible. For me, it's like a second dream. My first dream was already (realized) 12 years ago, so it's dream has come true again," said Christophe Byl, fireworks designer at CBF Pyrotechnics, a leading global company specializing in the design, production, and execution of professional fireworks displays and special effects worldwide, headquartered in Belgium.
Int'l firework display held in central China city
