Index – Domestic – There will be no Christmas decorations in Budapest, the capital will save 28 million this way
Due to the energy prices, the general assembly of the capital once again amended the public service contract of BDK Budapesti Dísz- és Közvälätigi Kft. (BDK is jointly owned by the Capital Municipality and E.ON Hungária fifty-fifty percent.)
The proposal that has just been accepted states that there will be no Christmas decorative lighting in Budapest this year.
In the contract, more than HUF 58 million will not be deducted separately as a cover for the Christmas decorative lighting by canceling the task. The reason for this is, among other things, that the cost claim related to the depreciation and amortization of the Christmas equipment owned by BDK Kft. and not used for decoration must be reimbursed to BDK, on the other hand, the costs related to the dismantling of last year’s Christmas lights on January 6, 2022 have already been invoiced.
The change regarding the Christmas decorative lighting does not affect the capital’s decorative lighting (mandatory according to the decree). It was accepted at the end of this summer on the other hand, it was affected by the energy package, it was then decided that the operating time of the decorative lighting will be reduced by two hours per day during winter and summer time, as well as in the case of basic and advanced service. The time when the city lights are switched on has not changed, but the decorative lights will be on for two hours less than before.
The decision will save more than HUF 28 million in the capital, and the significant carbon dioxide emissions associated with the installation of decorative lighting will also be reduced.
It is worth noting that Gergely Karácsony on his social media page at the beginning of October he asked the people of Budapest to save money on Christmas lights. According to the non-representative research, the vast majority of respondents indicated that this is not necessary now.
Regardless of the decision of the capital, the district municipalities can, of course, decide within their own authority to light up their public areas before Christmas.
(Cover photo: Christmas decorations on Andrássy út on November 28, 2021. Photo: Zsolt Szigetváry / MTI)