THE sight and sound of fireworks in the sky, synonymous with Chinese New Year celebrations in Hong Kong, is an event owed largely to the inspiration of one man.
Ironically, he has rarely seen the show. And although he will be here this year, it is likely to be his last as he plans to leave the territory in May, even though he has yet to decide where he'll go.
When the show was first staged in 1982, it was as much a surprise as it was dazzling.
Fireworks were banned in Hong Kong in the wake of the 1967 riots. Fourteen years later, the Government finally gave its nod to a public fireworks show, thanks to the efforts of the then-Hong Kong Tourist Association's (HKTA) executive director, John Pain.
''When I first came to Hong Kong in 1957, everybody lit firecrackers in the street,'' recalls Mr Pain.
''But after the riots, the Government cancelled their use. By 1978, people started urging the Government to bring back fireworks again. They wrote articles about it.'' That strong public sentiment prompted him to think of ways to help. And a public show seemed to be the answer.
