This last weekend was the first ever Pyronale in Berlin. Thirty specialist firework companies came to compete in the world firework display championships.

The six finalists were teams from Poland, China, Portugal, Russia, UK, and Italy. Each of them put on a fifteen minute display of some of the best fireworks to be seen anywhere in the world. There were three displays Friday evening and another three on Saturday - 1/2.Sep.2006.

In the end Portugal were declared the overall winners.

Organisers say the event was such a success that it'll now take place every year. In 2007 it'll probably be in the same location, i.e. at the "Maifeld" sports ground next to the Olympic Stadium.

Anyone see this? If you were in the west of city at the time then I guess it would be hard to miss.

Excellent display.

I was inside. Friends saw it outside and were a bit disappointed.

Poland managed a good demonstration with the music.

China not good and no choreography.

Portugal. Excellent. Well thought out and well presented with a crescendo of three levels of fireworks.

Sorry I missed it. Anyone know if this is related the stuff that used to go on in North America?

I remember in Vancouver they had the "Symphony of Fire" with the music played over one of the radio stations and the fireworks done off barges in the harbour. They did some pretty amazing things.