DIFF 2024: 'Secret palace history' revealed for the first time

With centuries-old "fireworks families" emerging; requiring a year to plan each competition night; millions of dollars invested in fireworks stockpiles, stages, and grandstands… DIFF has even more behind-the-scenes stories. Behind the 20 minutes of explosive light art in the sky lie incredibly complex connections and silent contributions…

The summer fireworks display in Da Nang is not only a dazzling spectacle in the sky but also the product of silent dedication and hard work.

400 modules, 8,000 detonators, and the world's most advanced equipment.

Until before DIFF 2024, many Da Nang residents, even those with decades of experience watching fireworks, never imagined the sheer quantity of fireworks imported and transported to Vietnam for this world-class festival. If the negotiation and purchase process from leading manufacturers, the sea voyage, and the thousands of kilometers of road to bring 46,561 fireworks to Da Nang weren't convincing enough, Global 2000 experts will point out the stringent standards that the DIFF competition entails. “DIFF uses the FIRE 1 system, the most advanced and reliable fireworks system in the world. We have a very large system here, with over 400 modules and up to 6 controllers to ensure full backup and redundancy during fireworks displays. So, it can be said that, in terms of system equipment, DIFF has the best equipment in the world,” shared Stuart Bensley, Technical Director of Global 2000, DIFF's fireworks consulting company.

The Da Nang International Fireworks Festival utilizes the most advanced equipment in the world.

Fireworks at the highest level are a harmonious blend of color, unique shapes, and music. The more imaginative the light "architects," the greater the complexity and risk involved in setting up the display. With the best equipment and materials invested by Sun Group , Global 2000 experts and technicians from the competing teams will perform the final steps to create over 20 minutes of breathtaking spectacle at DIFF. "There are about 400 small computers connected to the system, and we have to link them together. Then, all the cables lead to the central control panel so we can control everything from there. We have to perform multiple system checks to ensure that every fireworks circuit and every firing system is working perfectly before the show begins," a Global expert shared.

The competing teams will connect between 4,500 and 8,000 circuits and detonators to control computers.

The installation of the firing system began on Monday, the first day the competing teams arrived at the site, and lasted until Saturday afternoon before the performance. In total, the teams would connect between 4,500 and 8,000 circuits and detonators to the control computers. According to Mr. Stuart, the biggest risk with fireworks is always safety. Because it involves explosives, things can sometimes be very unpredictable. “That’s why we have the best equipment, the best firing system, and the best procedures here to minimize risks. This work requires meticulous attention to detail, so the technicians have to work very hard with a high level of concentration,” he added.

Nearly 2,000 people are involved in the organization and their silent contributions.

If each fuse being securely connected is the foundation for ensuring a perfect fireworks display, then for the DIFF Organizing Committee, the success of the festival also lies in the joy and safety of the more than 10,000 people filling the stands each night. Over 1,500 people from all units – fire fighting, security, border guards, medical , logistics… – were mobilized by Da Nang city, along with more than 400 staff members from Sun Group, creating a formidable force to ensure a safe and smooth fireworks display. Before each night's competition, from early afternoon, hundreds of security personnel, firefighters, medical staff… were ready to rehearse for all eventualities. Despite months of training and preparation for the biggest possible incidents, DIFF's security work always faces unexpected and challenging situations.

Security forces, riot police, fire brigades, medical teams, etc., must gather early to prepare for safety plans and handle any unforeseen situations that may arise during DIFF.

“The biggest worry is drunken spectators causing trouble and affecting other spectators. There was even a drunk person who shouted 'bomb,' causing panic among many. When there's a crowd effect, if one person runs, many others run too. That's the most frightening thing, so the security team is always stationed at all positions in the stands to prevent and handle any potential situations as quickly as possible,” recounted Mr. Nguyen Trong Nhat, representative of the DIFF security subcommittee. The dangers that the security subcommittee in general and the security forces in particular face are countless, as they are so diverse. With a large number of spectators concentrated in one time slot, to prevent safety issues such as intruders causing disturbances or bringing prohibited items, the security forces meticulously manage and guide spectators into the stands and check tickets to the maximum extent. “Besides controlling entry, the principle set to prevent emergencies is to always ensure that walkways and staircases in the viewing area are clear, creating a path for movement in case of unexpected situations,” Mr. Nhat added. Also, from midday, when the temperature at the fireworks viewing area felt like it was melting the ground, 150 volunteers from Sun Group's logistics team were present, preparing everything, no matter how small, to welcome guests and serve the audience, from tables and chairs to drinks and… raincoats.

Behind the joy and radiance of the tourists are the silent contributions of the DIFF team.

Rain is the biggest nightmare for the organizing committee. A sudden heavy downpour can ruin a fireworks display that has been prepared for months. Fireworks become smoked, and the audience descends into chaos. That's when hundreds of security and logistics personnel tirelessly run through the rain to ensure safety, security, and to care for the spectators. “In the middle of the third night of the competition, it was raining heavily. After handing out raincoats to all the guests, a volunteer encountered an elderly woman. She took off her last raincoat to give to the old woman and ran back and forth in the pouring rain, completely soaked. It was a truly touching image,” recounted Ms. Tran Thi Chieu Ly, a representative of the DIFF 2024 logistics committee, with tears in her eyes.

DIFF 2024 is still underway with exciting competition nights, attracting domestic and international tourists to Da Nang.

A volunteer gives his raincoat to an elderly person. A soldier stays up all night guarding the fireworks depot. A security officer stands solemnly with his back to the thousands of fireworks exploding, surveying the grandstand. So many fleeting moments and small individuals like these have made silent contributions to perfecting the beauty of DIFF. That beauty, just as dazzling as the dance of light in the sky, is perhaps a quiet beauty that few people know about.

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/diff-2024-nhung-tham-cung-bi-su-lan-dau-duoc-tiet-lo-185240626145113707.htm