On April 21, the 19th International Symposium on Fireworks (ISF) and the First Hunan (Liling) Fireworks Industry Expo grandly commenced in Liling, Hunan, China—the “Fireworks Capital of China”, and the hometown of Li Tian, the ancestral master of fireworks. Representatives from governments, enterprises, and industry experts from over 60 countries, including the United States, France, and Germany, as well as distributors and buyers from provinces such as Henan, Liaoning, Shandong, and Guangdong, gathered to promote high-quality development in the fireworks industry.

The International Fireworks Forum is hailed as the "Davos of Fireworks", standing as the world’s largest, longest-running, and most prestigious global event in the fireworks sector. It focuses on discussions around safety, science, engineering, artistry, and management in the industry. 

Liling, one of China’s four major fireworks production centers, has evolved over 1,400 years into a comprehensive industrial cluster encompassing firework machinery manufacturing, safety chemical production, trade, and logistics. Its firework products span nine categories with over 4,000 varieties, exported to more than 150 countries and regions, capturing a quarter of the global market share. Firecrackers, composite fireworks, fountain fireworks, and small aerial shells are among its standout products. 

The 19th ISF and the First Hunan (Liling) Fireworks Industry Expo are co-hosted by the International Symposium on Fireworks (ISF) Society and the Liling General Chamber of Commerce of Fireworks and Firecrackers. The event, themed "Millennial Liling Fireworks Blooming Worldwide", runs from April 21 to 25. The exhibition features four halls—International Hall, Brand Pavilion I, Ceramics Hall, and Brand Pavilion Ⅱ—covering 30,000 square meters with 288 booths. It showcases firework products, machinery, raw materials, and attracts top experts and leading enterprises from across the globe.

This year’s Symposium and Expo feature comprehensive innovations in scale, format, content, and activities. Highlights include three pre-events, four promotional campaigns, and 22 main events. The agenda includes two exhibitions, four conferences, seven international artistic fireworks displays, and nine seminars, offering multifaceted opportunities for collaboration and exchange.

At the opening ceremony, dazzling daytime fireworks lit up the sky, enhancing the event’s grandeur. Four meticulously choreographed daytime fireworks displays—titled "Colorful Liling," "Rainbow Weaving Dreams," "Magpie Bridge Welcomes Guests," and "Bountiful Harvest" —combined sound, light, and immersive effects to showcase breakthroughs in pyrotechnic artistry, bringing an unprecedented audio-visual experience to the audience. During the "2025 Global Liling Fireworks Showcase", fireworks were presented in a runway-style exhibition for the first time, blending traditional aesthetics with innovative cultural-tourism concepts and intangible cultural heritage craftsmanship. Additionally, the "Millennial Porcelain Capital · Colorful Liling" high-speed train officially launched, inviting global guests and overseas compatriots to explore Liling’s vibrant industry and co-create a bright future.