Swiss team wins the 24th International Fireworks Competition in Hannover (FOTO)

Hannover (ots) -

The winner of the 24th International Fireworks Competition in
Hannover comes from Switzerland! On the evening of Saturday, 20
September, it was announced that first place went to "Sugyp SA". The
excellent presentation by the Swiss pyrotechnic specialists put them
ahead of their four international rivals. The team from Switzerland
succeeded in captivating the audience in the Great Garden with a
brilliant fireworks choreography based on the James Bond title music.
They also impressed the jury of ten independent experts with its
perfect rendering of the competition requirements and a harmonious
tapestry of pyrotechnical and musical effects. Second place went to
"Flash Barrandov" from Czech Republic, with, Japan ("Marutamaya Co")
finishing third.

On five Saturdays between May and September 2014, top teams from
the Czech Republic, Great Britain, Switzerland, Japan and Greece
presented breathtaking fireworks displays in the baroque atmosphere
of the Royal Gardens of Herrenhausen, attracting a total of around
51,000 visitors as they competed for victory. A supporting programme
- themed to tie in with the country of the performing team and
featuring items such as baroque equestrian skills, a kimono fashion
show and alphorn sounds, as well as artistic, musical and comedy acts
- entertained the audiences as they waited for the fireworks to
begin.

Hans Christian Nolte, Managing Director of Hannover Veranstaltungs
GmbH (HVG) which organizes the event, was equally satisfied: "We are
particularly pleased that the pyrotechnicians regard the chance to
take part as an accolade in its own right and repeatedly confirm that
the International Fireworks Competition in Hannover is one of the
most highly respected and popular anywhere in the world."

This year's winning team, headquartered in the French-speaking
town of Grandson, has not only been active in their home country for
over 40 years, but they are also in great demand worldwide. To
satisfy requests from abroad, Sugyp SA founded a subsidiary company
in Abu Dhabi in 2011. Their credits include fireworks for the famous
Cirque du Soleil, for companies such as Montblanc, Gucci and watch
manufacturer Audemars Piguet. The Swiss team have also put on shows
for the opening ceremony of the Junior Ski World Cup in Crans-
Montana (2010) and the Orienteering World Championship in La Chaux-
de-Fonds (2010). They have also taken part in many prestigious
international competitions such as the "L'International des Feux
Loto-Québec" in Canada (2012).

The rules of the International Fireworks Competition are clearly
defined: the fireworks display is required to last about 25 minutes
and include a four-minute compulsory section.

Competition dates in 2015: 16 May, 6 June, 8 August, 5 September,
19 September.

For further information, please visit:
http://www.hannover.de/en/fireworks.

Press Contact:
Julia Sellner
Hannover Marketing und Tourismus GmbH
+49 (0) 511/123490-13
presse@hannover-marketing.de