Quanzhou Daily, 9 December —

　　Last night, Quanzhou captivated the world. Renowned contemporary artist Cai Guo-Qiang, a native of the city and internationally recognised as China's leading fireworks artist, staged an extraordinary drone and fireworks show titled "Mirage: Explosion Event for the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the Cai Guo-Qiang Contemporary Art Center." The performance took place along the coast of his hometown, where land, sea, and sky meet in poetic harmony.

　　Staged at the future site of the Cai Guo-Qiang Contemporary Art Center, the event combined 3,200 synchronised drones with over 15,000 brilliant fireworks, transforming the night sky into a breathtaking visual canvas. The fusion of cutting-edge technology and artistic vision exemplified the power of contemporary art to inspire and connect across cultures.

　　The performance marked the grand opening of the 5th International Symposium on Artistic Development along the Maritime Silk Routes, offering an unparalleled visual spectacle for audiences from China and abroad.

　　The show unfolded in five acts, including Twin Pagodas to the East, Gehry Sketches, Mirage, the imaginative The City in Full Bloom with Erythrina Flowers, and a dramatic finale. In Cai's hands, fireworks became more than fleeting bursts of colour—they emerged as an artistic language written across the sky.

　　Drawing deeply on Quanzhou's rich maritime heritage and its pivotal role in the history of the Maritime Silk Routes, Cai incorporated local motifs and cultural symbolism into the performance. The result was a powerful tribute to the city's legacy of openness, creativity, and cultural exchange. Each moment was thoughtfully crafted, seamlessly blending tradition and innovation into a moving visual narrative—an ephemeral masterpiece that echoed long after the final spark faded.