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.

The spectacular pyrotechnic creations of Cai Canhuang light up the Chengdu night at the opening of the World Games on Thursday. WEI XIAOHAO/CHINA DAILY

He described the ongoing Chengdu World Games — with its diverse sporting program, featuring a number of non-Olympic events — as more of an inclusive celebration than the more competitive atmosphere of the Olympic Games, and their focus on "faster, higher, stronger".

This perspective made his approach to designing the show more relaxed and playful compared to previous projects.

"With every major fireworks display, I aim to capture the spirit of the times," he said. This time, he even incorporated a segment where the fireworks took the form of rolling ocean waves — a deliberate metaphor.

To him, sporting events are almost Utopian spaces, where conflicts and cultural differences are temporarily set aside.

"In recent years, geopolitical tensions have escalated, and economic wars persist. The 'waves' symbolize my hope — that despite the current setbacks to globalization, its tide will inevitably keep advancing with unstoppable force," he explained.

Cai's name literally contains fire — both characters in his given name "Canhuang "incorporate the "fire" element.

This seems prophetically aligned with his eventual career.

Yet destiny works in curious ways. The 40-year-old artist and large-scale fireworks designer was once a martial arts student at Beijing Sport University, with no childhood interest in the arts whatsoever.

Everything changed in the summer of 2008. Then 23, Cai was volunteering at the Beijing Olympics when he witnessed the iconic footprint fireworks designed by renowned artist Cai Guoqiang. Twenty-nine explosive steps marched along Beijing's central axis into the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, symbolizing the 29 Olympiads and China's century-long journey toward its Olympic dream.

"Inside the stadium, I was spellbound, but didn't fully grasp the meaning," Cai Canhuang recalls.

"Only after hearing Cai Guoqiang's interviews did I realize fireworks could convey such profound concepts. That's when my obsession with fireworks began."

After graduation, he joined Cai Guoqiang's studio.

"Pyrotechnic design isn't a safe or clean job — you handle volatile chemicals daily. But passion makes you dive deep into the research.

"Fireworks feel alive to me. There's an unpredictability, as if they have their own will."

As a designer, his greatest joy remains that final moment of ignition.

"The entire creative process is intense, cerebral. But, when my designs finally light up the night sky, no matter how many times I see it, the emotion still overwhelms me," he added.