Bristol firework company Skyburst, which stages major displays across the UK, has won its most prestigious contract yet – creating a spectacular display for a city in China to celebrate the end of the Chinese New Year holiday.
The Mayor of Liuyang, the largest manufacturing base for fireworks in the world, has invited Skyburst to take part in a massive display in the city.
Staff from the firm, which has a shop in Bedminster and a base in Upper Langford, North Somerset, regularly visit Liuyang to buy stock for its UK displays. The city is known in the industry for producing the world’s best fireworks.
Skyburst managing director Alan Christie said it was a huge honour to be asked by the mayor to take part in the Chinese New Year celebrations.
“It was on one of our trips there that we were asked and we’ve been working on creating a spectacular display for them ever since,” he said.
“While China has the best quality and variety of firework products, we are experts at putting those fireworks in a display. Our technology and pyro-digital software means we can create magnificent, complex effects and time our shows to music. Our techniques are cutting edge so we’re very excited to be representing the UK over there.”
Chinese New Year festivities typically last for 15 days, starting with the first full moon of the year, and are popularly known as Spring Festival.
Liuyang, a city of 1.35m people, is in Hunan province – China’s main firework manufacturing centre.
Skyburst has supplied and staged professional firework displays for more than 30 years, including the Bristol Balloon Fiesta, Brixham Festival, Bridgwater Carnival and the Tall Ship Race.
Mr Christie added: “While we are in Liuyang we plan to source new material suitable for Diamond Jubilee displays later in the year. Firewriting products, red, white and blue fireworks and sparkling diamond effects are all on the shopping list.”
