Liuyang City in Hunan Province on the Chinese mainland has been dazzling the skies for over a millennium with its signature fireworks. This year, the documentary "Poet of the Sky: The Liuyang Fireworks Art" brings this vibrant tradition into focus, tracing how centuries-old techniques meet 21st-century innovation.
At the heart of the story are two creators: Zhong Ziqi, a national inheritor of Liuyang’s fireworks craft, and Huang Cheng, a visionary show director. Zhong has spent decades refining ancient formulas and integrating them with modern industrial processes. His meticulous experiments have made the displays safer, more precise, and kinder to the environment—offering a blueprint for sustainable cultural heritage.
Huang Cheng, meanwhile, treats the night sky as a storytelling canvas. By blending fireworks with drone choreography, digital programming, and immersive performance design, he transforms each burst of light into a cultural narrative that resonates with global audiences. His shows are redefining what a fireworks display can be, bridging art and technology in spectacular fashion.
Beyond the spectacle, the documentary highlights the community of artisans, engineers, and storytellers who keep the flame alive. It’s a reminder that behind every skyward burst are generations of skilled hands and boundless creativity.
Together, these pioneers embody Liuyang’s spirit of inheritance and creation. From the sparks of traditional gunpowder kites to drone-lit formations above urban skylines, the art of Liuyang fireworks continues to evolve—illuminating the skies and inspiring a new generation of creators around the world.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
