Safi, Florida enthusiasts strike fireworks alliance

Malta's technique of making fireworks has won a general contractor from Florida the top prize in a state competition, wooing judges with multi-break colour shells that lit up the skies.

Mitch Pratt learnt the craft from Safi enthusiasts, after an alliance was struck between the St Paul Fireworks Factory and the Florida Pyrotechnic Arts Guild.

The FPAG has 240 fireworks enthusiasts and hobbyists across the state and the Pyrotechnics Guild International now has about 4,000 members nationwide and 15 regional clubs, including the Florida one.

In parts of the US, Malta is fast becoming renowned as one of the world's fireworks meccas. The Safi factory has been instrumental in introducing the island's unique style of fireworks to the Americans.

The friendship between one of Malta's smaller villages and one of America's biggest states was kindled after Safi club president Paul Schembri visited Florida four years ago. He let the American club into the secrets of Maltese technique of making fireworks and colour shells and in turn learnt the art of making ball shells.

Mr Pratt, the FPAG's president, and Mr Schembri struck an alliance where both sides share their knowledge on fireworks' techniques and safety factors on mixing chemicals.

Mr Pratt, together with Kolin Kimbrough, another American fireworks' enthusiast, is in Malta to join the people of Safi in this weekend's celebrations to mark the feast of the Conversion of St Paul. "We were fascinated by the kaleidoscope of fireworks we have seen in Malta and the technique is so different that whenever we show the Maltese-style fireworks in the US everybody is impressed," Mr Pratt said, sipping a beer at Safi's band club.

Last November Mr Pratt won two categories at a three-day fireworks festival in Florida and this year he is planning to present 70 Maltese-style shells during the festival.

Mr Kimbrough placed first with Maltese-style fireworks during a Pyrotechnics Guild International competition earlier this month, where all the states took part.

Tonight, Mr Pratt and Mr Kimbrough will be relishing the air and ground fireworks display at Safi which kick off at about 9.30 p.m. reaching their climax at about 11.30 p.m.