Fireworks are believed to have been invented by the Chinese in ancient times. And a bunch of Frenchmen called Group F are currently displaying their skills with fireworks in the home country of the art. As part of the France Culture Year in China, the group has already given two sell-out performances in Shanghai and Wuhan.

On Tuesday evening, it was the turn of Chengdu, capital of Southwest China's Sichuan Province to be the lucky last stop on their China tour.

Don't be misled into thinking that he is melting metal - he's a wizard trying to make a new sun by refining materials from fire. More like a drama than a pyrotechnics display, this is the beginning of the 40-minute fireworks show by the celebrated Group F.

Dazzling fireworks explode high in the sky, and two musicians play impromptu melodies on cello and saxophone, making the show both a visual and aural feast.

Group F is widely known for turning the Eiffel Tower red in the China Culture Year in France, and for their contribution to the opening ceremony of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. And now the people of Chengdu can witness their superb skills and French romantic sensibility with their own eyes.

Dressed like astronauts, the wizards go into uncharted space to rescue the sun that has been stolen by evil beings. They spare no effort to give the world a little lighter, as the name of the show says.

When the drama comes to a happy ending, the flashing light is a bit too dazzling. But people narrow their eyes and keep gazing, enchanted by the cheerful and peaceful mood of the show. In their eyes, the fireworks take on the shapes of flowers, shooting stars, fireflies and all the beautiful small things of their childhood dreams.

(CCTV.com October 28, 2004)