Poet of the sky: The art of Liuyang fireworks

Liuyang fireworks are a celebrated specialty of Liuyang City in Hunan Province. With a history spanning over a thousand years, Liuyang fireworks began as a folk craft rooted in ritual and celebration, and evolved into a sophisticated art form that combines increasingly cutting-edge technology. The documentary "Poet of the Sky: The Liuyang Fireworks Art" explores this evolution through the lens of inheritance and creation, focusing on two key figures who represent different generations of Liuyang's fireworks tradition.

One is Zhong Ziqi, a national inheritor of this craft. Zhong has devoted decades to refining ancient formulas and techniques, and integrating them with modern industrial processes. Through meticulous experimentation, he has helped to make Liuyang fireworks safer, more precise, and more environmentally friendly.  

The other is Huang Cheng, a pioneering fireworks show director who treats the sky as a storytelling canvas. By blending fireworks with drones, digital programming, and contemporary performance design, he transforms fleeting bursts of light into immersive cultural narratives.

Together, their commitment to craftsmanship and bold experimentation illustrate how Liuyang fireworks continue to illuminate the sky.