The opening night of the 2018 Malta International Fireworks Festival, which is the 17th edition of this festival, took place last night on Saturday 21st April in Xaghra, Gozo.

At this event, the crowds gathered witnessed a fantastic spectacle, with mesmerising displays from Phoenix Fireworks from the United Kingdom and Rozzi Fireworks from the United States, which created history, as they were the first ever American competitor at the Malta International Fireworks Festival.

Both competitors entered this year’s festival with a very high pedigree and big reputations, with Phoenix Fireworks being one of the very select groups to have won both the British Firework Championship and the British Musical Firework Championships. Rozzi Fireworks, on the other hand, have over 100 years of experience in the fireworks industry, with the company having been passed down through 5 generations. They have recently placed second at the world-famous Knokke Heist Fireworks Festival in Belgium.

Phoenix’s show, named ‘Phoenix Rising’, wowed the crowds and the judges present, while Rozzi’s show, ‘The Roots of America’, got everyone singing and dancing, whilst also impressing everyone with the display and synchronized fireworks display, which lit up the Gozitan night sky.

The next stage of the Malta International Fireworks Festival shall be taking place in Marsaxlokk on Friday 27th April, with the theme of the night being a re-enactment of a local feast. On this night, we shall see the Italian fireworks factory, Martarello s.r.l. and the only local competitor, St. Mary’s Fireworks Factory from G?axaq, will display their talents to the judges and all the locals and tourists present.

The event in Marsaxlokk will bring to an end the competitive part of the festival, however, it does not bring the festival to a close, as on Monday 30th April, there shall be the Grand Finale in the Grand Harbour, Valletta.

At this event, there shall be never-seen-before activities, such as a live orchestra which shall be on a floating stage in the Grand Harbour. This orchestra will be singing in synchronisation with the fireworks display which will be performed by PyroEmotions from Italy.

We look forward to welcoming everyone to the event in Marsaxlokk and the Grand Finale in Valletta. We believe that the immense quality witnessed on the first night in Xaghra will continue throughout the other nights of the festival, therefore, we strongly encourage that no-one misses out!