The 25th November Fireworks Factory, of Żejtun, has won this year’s International Fireworks Festival, followed by Vallcalluzzo Events Italia in the final rankings.
The third place went to Platinum Fireworks, from the Philippines, and Pyrocom, from Estonia, placed fourth in the contest.
The results were announced on Tuesday as the Malta International Fireworks Festival continued at the Grand Harbour. This year, the festival was held on four nights spread over two weeks: in Mqabba and Xagħra last week, last Tuesday in Valletta, ending on Saturday evening with a mechanised ground fireworks festival organised in collaboration with the Floriana local council.
This was the 18th edition of the event organised by the Malta Tourism Authority and the Tourism Ministry.
Eighteen local fireworks factories participated. It is estimated there are about 35 fireworks factories in Malta, with the tradition dating back centuries.
The pyrotechnics craft goes back to the time of the Order of the Knights of St John, which used to mark important dates, including the election of a Grand Master or a Pope or the birth of a prince, by special fireworks displays.