India Wins Fireworks 2023

A pyrotechnics team from India have been crowned champions of Blackpool’s annual World Fireworks competition after staging their country’s first ever display in the UK.

The display by the Amir Morani Fireworks (AMFW) team was the first of three spectacular shows staged on the Tower Festival Headland during September and October.

Designed by Azan Morani, who has programmed some of the largest and most complex shows in the world, the winning display was praised for its use of pyrotechnics never seen before and for the diverse selection of music that included a taste of Bollywood.

The judges, who scored them ahead of subsequent displays by Switzerland and Italy, described the Indian show as “captivating” with a stunning finale.

A spokesperson for AMFW said they were “ecstatic and honoured” to make history by putting on the first Indian pyrotechnics display in the UK and then going on to win the competition.

The World Fireworks Championship Blackpool is one of the resort’s most spectacular events, with the displays, all synchronised to music, being launched from the beach in front of The Blackpool Tower. It is estimated that more than 50,000 people attended each of this year’s free events.

Cllr Lynn Williams, Leader of Blackpool Council and one of the judges, said: “This year has seen a magnificent competition. India set a very high bar when they performed in Week One and although the displays by Switzerland and then Italy were fantastic, we felt India just had the edge.

“The weather for the final display by Italy this last weekend was challenging, but we are delighted that so many families braved it to come along and watch an amazing end to this year’s competition and also get a first look at some of the incredible installations in this year’s Lightpool Festival.”

Photo: Gregg Wolstenholme Photography