INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

The teams compete using identical quantities, types, pyrotechnic materials, effects, calibers, and colors. Participants are required to create a pyro-musical program of up to 9 minutes using a provided list of materials. Teams must perform to a specific music theme:

• 2024 – film music
• 2025 – pop music from the 1980s to the present
• 2026 – participants must include traditional music from their own country in their musical composition

The jury evaluates the synchronization between the music and the fireworks, as well as the emotional impact of each performance.

Opening pyromusical by the host company Fiеry Chrysanthemum Ltd.

Competitive pyromusical performance lasting from a minimum of 6 to a maximum of 9 minutes

Closing pyrotechnic show by Fiеry Chrysanthemum Ltd.

The event changed its name and format.

Warm-up thematic pyro-musical performances by Fiеry Chrysanthemum Ltd. tailored to the nationality of each competing team
Competitive pyromusical performance lasting from 6 to 9 minutes
Closing pyrotechnic show by Fiеry Chrysanthemum Ltd.

Due to the epidemiological situation in the country, the championship was not held.

The competition adopted the name “World Fireworks Championship for the Cup of the City of Panagyurishte, Bulgaria.”

The regulations remained unchanged: identical number, type, caliber, and effects of pyrotechnic products for all teams. The championship was held over three consecutive evenings. Each evening began with a warm-up fireworks display by Fiеry Chrysanthemum Ltd., followed by a freestyle fireworks show by each team, and concluded with a competitive pyro-musical performance by each team.

The Municipality of Panagyurishte hosted the World Fireworks Championship “Fire, Color and Fantasy” for the first time in 2013.

The organizer each year was the Municipality of Panagyurishte, and the event coordinator was Fiеry Chrysanthemum Ltd. The general sponsor was “Asarel-Medet” JSC. The championship was also financially supported by “OPTIX” JSC and “Macro View Endoscope Optic” JSC. The official representative for 2013, 2014, and 2015 was JUP Fireworks Europe Ltd. (Germany), with director Jörg-Udo Pfeiffer.

Each year, competing teams from different countries created displays of color, spectacle, and beauty that illuminated the sky over Panagyurishte.

According to the regulations, teams presented a 2-minute freestyle fireworks show (not judged), followed by a competitive performance lasting between 3 and 7 minutes. Conditions were identical for all participants: the same types of effects and materials were provided, the size of the shells was identical, and the number of fireworks was equal. Under these conditions, the key factors were talent and the ability to present the art of fireworks.

The warm-up fireworks display, outside the competition, was performed by the official representative JUP Fireworks Europe Ltd. (Germany).

During the championship, new pyrotechnic effects produced by the renowned German manufacturer WECO were introduced in Bulgaria for the first time.

According to the schedule, the first team performed on the first day, the second team on the second day, and the third team on the third day.

The organizer—the Municipality of Panagyurishte—also prepared a concert program as a gift for residents and visitors on each evening of the championship.

The first evening began with an official opening and a concert by a selected group or performer. After the concert, the main part of the championship began, including warm-up fireworks. In the second part, the competing team performed a freestyle fireworks show (not judged). The third part featured the main competitive fireworks program, evaluated by a jury.

This format was followed over the three competition evenings, with the final taking place on the third night. After the last team’s performance, the jury compiled the results from all three evenings and announced the winner. The official award ceremony took place on the festival stage in front of the residents and guests of Panagyurishte.