It seems as if it has always been like that: at the stroke of twelve hours the Netherlands shoots fireworks into the air during New Year’s Eve. But did you know that the tradition in the Netherlands is not at all as old as is often thought?
Consumer fireworks started to become more popular in the 60s. Since then it has become an inseparable part of our New Year, but not without discussion.
Tonight there is talk about a fireworks ban in the Lower House. But how did the tradition actually come about and what does the prohibition mean for carbide shooting?
Fireworks has its origins in China, the lighting would expel angry spirits. In the Netherlands, fireworks are mainly used during festive events.
That citizens can buy and light fireworks without a special training was established after the Second World War. The tradition of fireworks was probably introduced during the New Year by former Indies and migrants who brought the tradition from Indonesia.
The lighting of fireworks was forbidden in the 1950s, but was tolerated here and there. In the following years, consumer fireworks were sold more and more and in the 70s it became really more popular. This is because fireworks became increasingly available, thanks to import from China. The rising prosperity made the fireworks accessible for more and more people.
The Dutch spent 118 million euros on fireworks in the last New Year, the fireworks industry organization reported earlier. In 2022, the previous record year, sales were 115 million euros.
In the Netherlands, bang fireworks (F3) have been prohibited since December 2020. This includes, for example, rocks, Chinese mats and loose flares. Ornamental fireworks (F2) are still allowed, because it is less dangerous for consumers. That is the so -called cakes, fountains, ground flowers and compound boxes.
The House of Representatives now also wants to prohibit that category. That means that only F1 fireworks may be sold, that is stars and blasting.
The fireworks decision applies to the so -called pyrotechnic Mixtures. Carbid is not included. That means that carbide shooting does not fall under the fireworks decision.
Rules and conditions for carbide are different per municipality. If the government wants to put an end to carbide shooting, new rules should be drawn up for that. Or carbide shooting must be added to the fireworks decision.
The municipalities could also draw up rules to prohibit it in the municipality.
There are a number of countries where fireworks are already forbidden anyway. Such as Luxembourg, where the starting point is that you are not allowed to light fireworks unless the mayor gives you permission. Almost all the fireworks are forbidden in Ireland. In Finland there is a ban on private fireworks in most places, but fireworks shows are allowed.
A general fireworks ban applies in Australia, the alternative is a large fireworks show on Harbor Bridge in Sydney, which you see the first to pass by on New Year’s Eve.
There are also countries where fireworks (largely) are allowed. In Denmark, Sweden and Norway you can basically light fireworks everywhere, for example, only in Norway is only the heaviest fireworks forbidden.
In Drenthe there is a varying response to a possible fireworks ban. A majority in the Provincial States of Drenthe spoke against the possible national fireworks ban last night. A motion against the prohibition, submitted by FvD, BBB, PVV and Sterk Lokaal Drenthe, received 24 votes in front and 17. The motion is asked, among other things, to urge second chamber fractions to reconsider the prohibition.
Mayor Renze Bergsma van Coevorden said this year to hope for a national approach to problems with fireworks. “I am sure that many in the country, including many mayors, are willing to cooperate with this.”
Marcel Thijsen van Tynaarlo points to Germany, where you can buy fireworks that are illegal with us. “It doesn’t yield these kinds of excesses there. Then my analysis is: it can’t be a firework. Then there is something wrong with society.”