Fireworks in Blanes, 2009.
Photo by René Scholte

The finale of the 39th edition of Blanes’ annual fireworks competition, the Concurso de Fuegos de Artificio de la Costa Brava, lasted 20 minutes during which more than 1,500 pounds of explosives lit up the sky with spectacular displays.

The fireworks display, launched from a platform at Sa Palomera — the rocky promentory that marks the official start of the Costa Brava — lit up the Mediterranean night sky, delighting tens of thousands of onlookers who had gathered on Blanes’s beaches, rooftops, along the boulevards and on a host of boats.

During the course of the six-day fireworks competition some 7 tons of explosives were used in stunning pyrotechnics displays put on by international top competitors.

In the 39th edition of the Concurso de Fuegos de Artificio de la Costa Brava, some 7 tons of explosives will be used over a six day period in stunning pyrotechnics displays put on by international top competitors.

While the fireworks competition was established in 1970, the history of gunpowder and fireworks displays in Blanes goes back to at least 1906.

An article published in July that year mentions a fireworks display from a platform in the sea.

Blanes’ municipal archives reveal a similar event in 1909, and another in 1931. From that year, fireworks displays became a tradition — ended in 1936 due to the outbreak of the Civil War. In 1944 the tradition was restored.

In 1970 the Costa Brava had become very popular with tourists, and the City of Blanes came up with the idea to use the fireworks festival to promote the budding resport. The event that year lasted three days — and was in later years expanded to four, five, six and even seven days.

This year’s event will be held over six days, from July 22 through July 27th. Organizers are counting on 150.000 viewers a day, and 450.000 visitors over the weekend. This includes not only tourists but also people from around Catalonia.

The fireworks will be launched from a 4000 square-meters platform, weighing four tons, anchored just of Sa Palomera — the rocky promentory that marks the official start of the Costa Brava (Wild Coast).

Ignition of the spectacular pyrotechnics displays is fully electronic, with sequences controlled by computer from a nearby control center.

The vicinity of the launching area is fenced off, and guarded by municipal police. Signs around the perimeter warn people, in 6 languages, to stay away from the area.

If you plan to arrive in Blanes by car during the competition, note that access to the center of town is restricted from several hours before each event.

• Official Blanes fireworks website in Catalan and Spanish