Does the Netherlands have a fireworks obsession? It is also often a hassle abroad
Belgium: plenty of fireworks tourism
We start in Belgium, a country that sees many fireworks tourists from the Netherlands every year. And that fireworks are not always legal: the Belgians also regularly intercept at the border big parties illegal and often heavy fireworks.
At the beginning of this year, a group of mayors argued for a total ban on the sale of fireworks to private individuals. They pointed out during the animal suffering, nuisance and vandalism of the past turn of the year. “Enforcement is difficult, because you have to catch someone lighting the fireworks. That will probably never happen,” said mayor Marina Cologne van Lanaken.
In short: fireworks policy is fragmented in Belgium. In principle, you can buy fireworks throughout the year, but local exceptions apply. For example, there has been a fireworks ban in Flanders since May 2019, but municipalities are allowed to deviate and in practice it is late one in three Flemish municipalities in Flanders fireworks on New Year’s Eve. Although cutting off on the street is not as popular as in the Netherlands.
In Wallonia, setting off fireworks itself is prohibited, but it is not a total and permanent ban: there, too, municipalities allow fireworks from time to time, in particular on New Year’s Eve. Or they only allow ‘low noise’ fireworks. In Brussels, the possession and setting off of fireworks is completely prohibited.
Germany: patchwork of rules
In our eastern neighbours, it has been established nationally that fireworks may not be set off around churches, hospitals and certain monuments, such as buildings with thatched roofs. “The rule is: no fireworks where the safety of buildings and citizens is at stake,” says correspondent Jeroen Akkermans. Even in Germany the limit of what is acceptable is difficult to maintain.
On top of that, cities and municipalities can decide for themselves what is or is not allowed. Akkermans: “In Berlin, for example, three ‘fireworks-free zones’ have been set up, including those close to my house. In Munich, fireworks are not allowed within the city ring, and in Regensburg not in the old center.”
For the past two years, private individuals throughout Germany have not been able to sell or set off fireworks at all due to the corona measures. Interest groups hope that it would be extended to this year. “But the Germans are allowed to compete again to their heart’s content. To the frustration of the opponents,” says Akkermans.
Italy: tons of illegal fireworks
In Italy, too, the fireworks discussion always flares up in the last days of the year, correspondent Anouk Boone noted. The country follows EU directives: small and medium-sized fireworks may be sold at controlled points of sale and fireworks must have the CE mark.
The Italian police insist on safe use in videos – and then occasionally a doll is killed:
Between his attempts under pressure with the interception of illegal fireworks. For example, the Guardia di Finanza, the Italian financial police, has tightened controls on illegal fireworks in Naples, where there are many fireworks dealers in the area.
“In mid-December, ten tons of illegal fireworks, more than 1.6 million items, were already seized during various roundups between Naples, Pozzuoli and Palma Campania,” says Boone. “And tons of fireworks have recently been seized or intercepted in other places in the country. These are periodic recurring events throughout the country. A well-known phenomenon is also that fire certificates are not in order in buildings where fireworks are stored or sold .”
When Boone recently wanted to make a TV report at a fireworks factory outside Naples, she was probably immediately turned away. “Obviously they don’t want snoopers there.”
United Kingdom: Prefer fireworks display
The British celebrate New Year’s Eve less lavishly than the Dutch. Many people go out for dinner in the evening, raise a glass at midnight, and then continue eating quietly, correspondent Anne Saenen says. “In Kroegen things are less stiff and the Scottish classic Auld Lang Syne (‘bygone times’) is sometimes played.”
But take to the streets en masse to set off fireworks and shout ‘best wishes’ to complete strangers? That’s not happening. Saenen: “Because the British are not obsessed with fireworks, fireworks are sold all year round and may be set off between 07:00 and 23:00. New Year’s Eve fireworks may be set off until 01:00 at night. But that rarely happens. “
People do flock to large fireworks displays. There is one along the Thames in the heart of London. For several years now you have to buy tickets because of the crowds it attracts.
The time of year when Britten and himself set off fireworks is Bonfire Night (aka Guy Fawkes Night) in November. Then it is celebrated that an attempt to blow up parliament and King James I was prevented. There are fireworks displays and bonfires all over the country. Saenen: “But even then, privately, less is used than what we used in the Netherlands on New Year’s Eve.”
China: expelling ghosts
Fireworks are of course a Chinese invention, but oddly enough you don’t hear them in the big cities. In smaller towns you can still bang, just like in the countryside. But major cities have banned fireworks, notably because of pollution.
“New Year’s Eve, like the Chinese New Year in cities such as Shanghai, is a quiet affair. This has been the case for several years due to fireworks bans,” says correspondent Roland Smid.
That may not be surprising: setting off fireworks in a city like Shanghai used to be fairly extreme, says Smid. “There were always a lot of cars, windows and balconies broken. And the pollution lay like a thick blanket over the city. Then there was also a deadly incident in the center in 2014. So many people were crushed to death when they reached the river to the watching fireworks came. The fireworks in Shanghai have been replaced by drones that give light since 2020.”
Still, fireworks are an important part of Chinese culture, especially at weddings, funerals and the Chinese New Year. Smid: “It mainly concerns fireworks. You can still hear bangs everywhere in the countryside during Chinese New Year. Traditionally, fireworks are used to drive away ghosts.”
United States: mega stores full of fireworks
In America, the laws that apply to consumer fireworks vary widely from state to state and sometimes even from district to district. On top of that, you sometimes have even more specific rules per area. Where fireworks are allowed, the amount is limited to 500 grams. You need a permit for a larger quantity. If you don’t have it, you risk a 5-year destruction. You must also be at least 18 years old to purchase fireworks.
“Some consumers drive to another state to buy fireworks there,” says reporter Sophie van der Meer. “For example, the state of Michigan is very lenient about consumer fireworks. You even have a kind of fireworks supermarket, Red Apple Fireworks, with comparable warehouses full of fireworks. Missouri also has such a huge store: The Fireworks Superstore. On the other hand, in a state like Vermont you can only put stars.”
The fireworks discussion is also alive in the US. The number of fireworks victims is between 2006 and 2021 achieved 25 percent reported. Last year there were 11,500 incidents involving consumer fireworks in which people were injured. Nine people died from setting off their own fireworks.
Van der Meer: “Opponents of consumer fireworks point to the number of incidents, vacuum cleaners, noise and waste. While you claim that if you ban fireworks, you make the illegal market much larger with fireworks that do not comply with the rules.”