As done before in Cannes when I was a kid, and in Montreal, and probably many other cities, 
Vancouver holds an annual fireworks competition. It’s called the HSBC Celebration of Light and last Wednesday was the opening night, with Italy trying to redeem itself for Materazzi’s treachery. 
Attempting to avoid the crowds, I opted for a Granville Island observation post, a bad choice as it turns out because the tallest fireworks barely made it up above the Burrard bridge. But it added a nice foreground to my pictures.
Along with an estimated 350,000 people, I watched and listened as the Italians dared combine the musical genius of Ennio Morricone with the tasteless rambling of Celine Dion. Ouch. Next is China, then the Czech Republic and finally Mexico.
« Ennio Morricone and Celine Dion???!! And they won?? How come?
Date of comment: 2006-07-29 13:11 •People dont care for music apparently!
What’s visual seems more impressive than what’s to be heard. What a terrible thing. »
« Céline is no less than Zidane, a world icon.
»
Date of comment: 2006-07-29 19:14 •And she happens to be a sweet, gentle and loving woman.
Matching her with Morricone, of course,
could have startled a few spaghetti lovers but strangest duets have been heard many many times.
I’m for universality.
« ah, jai vu le premier de mon balcon, et la Chine de Kits Beach. la Chine etait juste magique.. La prochaine fois, je tacherai de charger mon appareil
»
Date of comment: 2006-08-01 00:07 •« NYA: Mais non, they haven’t won yet... And I hear they won’t either. And if they do, I assume we’ll have to suspend them for two fireworks...
»
Date of comment: 2006-08-01 08:54 •Anonymous: more power to you! As for me, she reminds me of our barde Assurancetourix...
Steph’: magique je ne sais pas, mais je me suis retrouvé coincé dans la foule prenant d’assault les transports en communs downtown et, moi, je vous le dit, franchement...... Voilà.