The complete guide to the fireworks festival

Ignis Brunensis 2007 (source: Wikimedia Commons)

Ignis Brunensis 2009 is about to start – enjoy the fireworks festival with our unique advices!

So, what is the Ignis Brunensis?

It’s a month-long festival of various events. One of these is an international competiton of fireworks. Ignis Brunensis debuted in 1998 and quickly became very popular. Approx. 100,000-200,000 spectators of every fireworks show make it the biggest event in the Czech republic in the term of visitors.

Where and when will the fireworks take place this year?

On Friday, May 22, you can enjoy a non-competitional fireworks show by Theatrum Pyroboli (CZ) above the St. Peter cathedral in the very centre of the town.

Then the festival moves to the Brno dam, an artificial lake 8 km northwest from the town’s centre. The dam can be reached with trams # 1, 3 and 11, as well as special bus lines departing from Česká st. The transportation is usualy well organised.

On Saturday, May 23, there’s show by Flash Barrandov SFX (CZ). Pirotecnica Igual (ESP) is presenting their show on Wednesday, May 27. Austrian Pyrovision will have their 30 minutes of fame on Saturday, May 30 and Grupo Luso Pirotecnia (P) will finish the festival on Wednesday, June 3.

The “grande finale” can be enjoyed on Friday, June 5 around the Špilberk castle, back in the town’s centre.

All the fireworks start right at 10:30 p.m. It does not matter whether it rains.

So… how is that thing organised? Do I have to buy a ticket?

You don’t have to buy anything. Just find a nice place somewhere on a street or on a bank. Just follow the crowd.

How to get most from the fireworks

Bring your own FM radio and tune 88.3 FM. The shows are synchronised with broadcasted music.

Be there one hour in advance. Due to the amount of people atending the shows, it may be difficult to get to a tram 20 minutes before fireworks start. You’ll also have more time to find a nice place and to buy a drink and a snack.

Safety advices

I don’t remember the fireworks itself have injured a single person. However several people have been injured because they had been trying to climb to trees or at buildings to achieve a better view. So: stay at the ground.

Other events at Ignis Brunensis 2009

See an older article with the complete programme of the festival!

Tagged as: Brno dam lake, fireworks, Ignis Brunensis