9th December, 2004 Macau

The "Year of France in China" program is a cultural extravaganza involving multi-facet exchanges between the two nations, initiated by President Chirac of France and former President Jiang Zemin of China in 1997. After years of preparation, the campaign was launched October 2004 in China, with over 200 events being held across the country in areas such as art, education, science and technology, sports and tourism, aiming to promote cross-borders ties and celebrate the both nations' brilliant history and heritage.

In support of this significant event, Shun Tak Group is proud to be invited by the organizing committee to become the official sponsor in Macau. In association with the "Year of France in China" program and the 5th Handover Anniversary of Macau SAR, Macau Tower will be hosting a truly unique pyro-musical epic choreographed by world-renowned fire and light experts, Groupe F, to be sparked off on the evening of December 17, 2004. This spectacular display is especially designed for Macau Tower under the theme "Romance and Innovation", the central theme that underlies all programs within the "Year of France in China" campaign. Through uniquely composed symphonic music, exhilarating electric guitars, towering flames and sensational pyrotechnics, magnificent images will be painted across the night sky capturing all imaginations. Macau Tower will be alit from ground to its mast, creating romantic sceneries. For this monumental performance, a large number of creative technologies and machineries are employed, including 80 pyrotechnic set-off points, 42 flame generators and 10 powerful skytracers with changing colors. A team of more than 20 Groupe F artists including pyrotechnic experts, musicians, choreographers, light designers and audio engineers to converge music, light and fire into a magical unity. The world renowned team has been featured in numerous international occasions amongst which are the 2004 Athens Olympics, the 1998 Football World Cup in France and the Year 2000 Millennium celebration at Eiffel Tower Paris where they have dazzled and inspired millions of spectators.

To capture these wonderful moments, Macau Tower is hosting a "So that the stars dance" photo contest to encourage photography enthusiasts' participation. The panel of judges will be choosing 3 prize-winners in addition to 20 pieces of distinguished works to be displayed in the Sky Gallery on Level 58 Observation Lounge. The newly launched Sky Gallery is a cultural platform intended for the sharing of Macau heritage and document the changing faces of the city.

Details about the contest:

Subject:	"So that the stars dance" pyrotechnic display to be held on December 17th 2004 at 8pm
Admission requirements:	Open
Deadline for submission:	January 17th 2005
Result:	To be announced by Chinese New Year

First prize-winner will receive one Economy Class return ticket from Hong Kong to Paris. For press enquiries, please contact Ms. Janet Tong, PR and Communications Manager at +852 2859 4823 or Ms. Karen Lee, Senior Marketing and PR Executive at +852 2859 8657.