The sponsor of Hong Kong’s National Day fireworks has decided against evoking memories of WWII in this year’s display after an outcry from the public.
HKFP reported last week how one part of the nine-section, 23-minute firework display on Oct. 1 would use the “effect of alarms and exploding missiles” to “create a war-like atmosphere” in an attempt to commemorate 70 years since Japan’s surrender in WWII.
As delightful as that sounds, some members of the public were less than chuffed with the plans, claiming the scene would be disrespectful to those who had died in and survived the war.
Guangdong-based CT Environmental Group, which is sponsoring the fireworks for the first (and perhaps the last) time this year, has now promised to change the war soundtrack to a song about peace by former Cantopop star Michael Kwan.
Bet the complainers are sorry now!
The rain of bullets that was planned to be depicted in fireworks will also be replaced by hearts, although the group insists the original plan was meant to convey a message of peace anyway, reports the SCMP.
This is very clearly their first rodeo.
Photo: Dennis Wong
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