Fireworker Christian Czech: Fireworks are the most beautiful art of waste
What do you like the most about your job?
I made my hobby to my job. It's a creative team-work and I like to travel around the world ...
Is your job more about art or technique?
For each bigger show you need a team. You can't do it solo. So it is a mix of both: The creative artistic part is designing the images in the sky and the skilled technical part is following and installing the pyrotechnic items.
Why did you decide to become a fireworker?
It was my childhood's dream and I worked my whole life to make it true.
Is there anything that inspires you the most while creating a firework? What is it?
Sometimes it is a special kind of music and at other times I have an idea and want to try out something new.
What is the most important thing or moment of preparation of fireworks? Why?
First we must prove whether the idea is realisable. In the later phases it becomes a very concentrated and precise work. Any mistake can be extremely dangerous in a job with explosives.
Is there any manual or instruction for the viewers how to "read" a firework, how to watch it?
Many people like the taste of a good wine. Sometimes it is difficult for them to point why they prefer the taste of one to the other. With fireworks, it's similar. A firework is always a loud and colourful mess. Or maybe not? Couldn't it take the appearance of a soft highlight of the evening, poetically and delicately tuned to the respective ambience in shape and colour, yet still full of rhythm and passion? For me fireworks has only a justification when it reflects the soul of the event, in moulding images of fire and smoke into a perfect form, perfect technique and the latest state of alchemy, as the most beautiful art of waste.
How was created the firework for the audience of the parade in Brno?
Some weeks ago I became very passionate about a concert of the German-born composer Hans Zimmer, who has been living and working in Hollywood. I remarked that this man made the soundtracks for almost all famous movies for the past 30 years. This inspired me and I started to cut his scores...
Are there any differences between other parades and the one in Brno?
The water surface of the lake in Brno is a very powerful tool because it works like a mirror for the audience. The location of the show makes a huge difference: it tells you which kind of pyrotechnic material you are able to use.
To which part of your firework can the viewers look forward the most?
That's again like with the good wine... Everyone has the chance to pick their own favourite part.
How do you choose festivals that you participate in?
After having been doing fireworks-festivals since 2004 we choose very carefully only a fistful of festivals worldwide.
Do you remember any quaint or unusual assignment for a show that you had created?
There were many... From a show celebrating the 125 years old Giant Wheel (Riesenrad) of Vienna to a show for a sad funeral or effects for movies. I have to admit that sometimes, even after 27 years, my own work can surprise me.
Where you are going to perform after the Ignis Brunensis festival ends?
First we're going back to Salzburg (June 9th), then to Hannover and Munich (Germany) and Cannes (France)...
Medallion of interviewed fireworker:
Name and surname: Christian Czech.
Position within the team: General Manager.
Work experience: 27 years in the business of fireworks.
Three words that describe me: Three words would not be enough.
My job-related dream: Fireworks, ever since I was 15 years old.
Medaillon of the firework‘s team:
The name of the team: Pyrovision GmbH.
Year the team originated in: 1996 in Salzburg.
Shows per year: between 80 and 100 per year.
The biggest success: Winning in international fireworks-festivals such as Chantilly in 2009, St. Brevin in 2008, Cannes in 2009 Prix Special du Jury, Knokke in 2005, Deurne in 2006, San Sebastian in 2014.
Second place in Brno in 2009, also in Hannover in 2011, Monaco in 2012, Shanghai in 2015...
Shows for many events and opportunities, such as:
•Linz09, European Capital of Culture 2009.
•FIS Ski Alpine World Championships in Garmisch 2011 and Schladming 2013.
•Youth Olympic Games YOG 2012 in Innsbruck (Austria).
•10 years « TUI Marathon» in Palma de Mallorca (Spain), 2013.
•«Dunarea Noastra» (countries along the Danube) - Galat (Romania), 2014.
•The Next 100 Years, BMW brand event, Olympic Stadium Munich 2016.
Pick three shows from the past 12 months:
•Austrian Leonidas Sports Gala, 06.04.2017.
•Hannibal, glacier-play in Sölden, 21.04.2017.
•Austrian Football Champion Red Bull, 28.05.2017.
Three words that describe how the team works: Motivated, precise, efficient
