St Mary Fireworks Association of Mqabba has won first place in the international fireworks competition held in Rome last week. Taking part in Caput Lucis – Light Capital – were what the organisers considered the best fireworks producers from around the world.

A panel of eight fireworks experts judged the performances. St Mary Fireworks Association, which last year won the first fireworks competition held in Malta, was making its first appearance abroad and its display was 25 minutes long, firing Malta-produced fireworks under a digital system known as FireOne.

The other contenders for the first prize were the United Kingdom, which came second, Spain, which ended in third place, and Italy, Rumania, Slovenia, China and Japan.

The competition was widely watched and is thought to have attracted some 500,000 spectators. It was held in an 80,000 square metre area at Valmontone and was sponsored by the Lazio region and the Rome province.

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