Having a blast

Fireworks, born to burn bright yet fated to vanish, leave behind the glow of an enduring memory, that, like the discussion about the Chengdu World Games' opening ceremony on Aug 7, lingers on — with viewers awestruck by the breathtaking beauty, and moved by the symbolism, of the pyrotechnic extravaganza.

As the ceremony at the lakeside Tianfu International Conference Center reached its climax, golden and green fireworks erupted across the night sky, swiftly morphing into the silhouette of a mighty tree: a solid trunk crowned with luxuriant branches and leaves, as if growing before the audience's eyes. Amid the emerald "foliage", white sparks bloomed into dove-shaped flowers, then scattered like a fluttering flock taking flight.

Inspired by the remains of a 3,000-year-old giant banyan tree discovered in Chengdu's Qingyang district and the rare dove tree (Davidia involucrata) — the blossoms of which resemble white wings — the display celebrated vitality, friendship and peace, transforming the sky into a canvas of vivid colors and poetic storytelling.

Yet, this moment represented just one chapter in the fireworks' grand narrative.

"I've never seen anything like that," remarked Ukrainian gymnast Alina Puhach, struggling to articulate the display's transcendent beauty.

Cai Canhuang, the ceremony's chief fireworks designer, explained: "Fireworks communicate emotions beyond words. They're not merely festive embellishments, but a form of public art that allows entire cities to share in a collective aesthetic experience."

Cai was also the pyrotechnics director for the opening ceremony of Beijing 2022 and the chief fireworks designer for the opening ceremony of the 2023 Chengdu World University Games.