July 14: Five questions about fireworks

This weekend again, the French sky will be ablaze with a thousand fireworks for the Bastille Day celebration. On average, 15,000 fireworks displays are set off in France for this weekend alone. Invented in the ^9th century by the Chinese, the explosive powder used remains a mystery to many of us. Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about it.

The question of pricing depends primarily on the duration of the display, but also on the location and the resources deployed. Logically, the longer the display lasts, the higher the price. But depending on the location, the pricing policy applied will vary: in the regions, fireworks displays range from €1,500 in small villages to €5,000 in tourist areas. In medium and large cities such as Carcassonne, Marseille, or Bordeaux, budgets are around €100,000 to €200,000.

Topping the French charts is the Bastille Day fireworks display in Paris, which cost €750,000 for thirty-five minutes this year. Of this budget, €350,000 is actually spent on fireworks, with the rest funding staging, staff, and security. Thus, while a minute of fireworks in Livarot-Pays-d'Auge, a commune in Calvados, costs €350, it costs €6,800 in Marseille and €21,428 for the Parisian show.

The colors are the result of chemical reactions produced by "bombs." These spherical devices are projected into the sky and produce the colorful bouquets when they explode. These projectiles are composed of "black powder," better known as "gunpowder," a mixture of sulfur, potassium nitrate, and charcoal. Added to this, cleverly placed in the center of the projectile, are dozens of metallic salt balls that produce the colors. Upon contact with the heat produced by the ignition of the powder in the bomb, each compound emits a different shade: strontium for red, barium for green, potassium for violet, copper for blue, etc. As the product of a chemical reaction, it is therefore impossible to nuance the colors or produce others, such as pink, for example.

The shapes themselves depend on the arrangement of these same balls within the sphere. The principle is very simple: to obtain a heart, a star, or any other geometric shape, the pellets must be placed within the sphere in such a way as to reproduce its contours. However, at the moment of explosion, the rotation of the projectile is difficult to control. This is why you will sometimes see the drawings at an angle if the calculations are not carried out in advance by the pyrotechnicians.

There are several categories of companies in the field. First, there are large groups, such as Pyragric or Riggieri. These two companies organize major international events and have authorized distributors spread throughout the country. Thanks to this massive presence, a large number of shows in France are, in fact, affiliated with these groups, without necessarily mentioning their names. In Paris this year, the Ruggieri group is in charge of the fireworks display. Founded in 1739 by an Italian family, the company was acquired in 1997 by the Etienne Le Croix group, a producer of weapons and equipment against "natural disasters," among other things. The rest is divided between smaller organizations, such as Jacques Couturier Organisation or Les Magiciens du Feux, and local artisans.

Fireworks technicians generate 60 to 70% of their annual turnover on July 14th. On this day alone, 15,000 fireworks are set off in France, compared to 5,000 the rest of the year. Companies therefore rely on seasonal workers who come to put on the displays, for anything from a few hours to several days. Most of these technicians have other jobs, with fireworks being a hobby for most. However, large corporations can afford to employ employees year-round thanks to their extensive order books.

From a business perspective, the year is divided into several distinct periods. From October to December, preparations for the fireworks season begin: ordering fireworks, imagining displays, and also exploring new ideas. From December to March, the sales team's goal is to secure as many contracts as possible. April to July is the busy period, with a peak in activity on the National Day weekend. Finally, from August to October, there are the somewhat enforced holidays. From then on, the year begins again with renewed vigor.

To produce the explosions, the bombs are filled with "black powder," a mixture of sulfur, potassium nitrate, and charcoal. This dangerous cocktail produces a significant amount of fine particles. Indeed, a study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows a drastic increase in these particles in the fireworks area during and after the show, which can reach +370%. In 2012, Airparif analyzed the concentration of these particles in the air following the show in the capital. The result: an increase of more than 3,000% in the area, which quickly decreased in the following hours.

Finally, the loud noise from the explosions is also problematic for the surrounding wildlife. A Dutch study shows that during the New Year, shortly after midnight, a large number of birds suddenly take flight due to the noise of the explosions, sometimes even abandoning their nests.