The fact that many people do not agree with the decision of the triangle is clear from the slogans that are shouted. “We are North crazy”, “Never again consultation with the triangle and authorities” and “We do what we want”, are shouted before lighting the bonfire. At the same time, despite the ban on lighting off, fireworks are shot into the air. “Make your own fire and don’t let others decide,” is the message.
But there is also another voice from the Northerners. Banners with the texts ‘Rest in Peace’ and ‘EIP’ hang on the pile of pallets and Christmas trees. This is in memory of fire boss Eipi, who recently passed away and was committed to the New Year’s tradition in North for years.
According to a witness at the scene, a lot of smoke is released and it all blows towards Buikslotermeer. “It smokes quite a bit, so we really have to wait and see whether this goes well,” he tells AT5.
Rollercoaster
The run-up to the bonfire on the Floraveld today was organized by organizer Patrick van Bronswijk a rollercoaster. The neighborhood has been celebrating there for 73 years with the big bonfire. Whether and how it could continue was therefore exciting. At 1:15 p.m., Van Bronswijk received a phone call with the message that the fire was not allowed to be lit during New Year’s Eve.
“Yes, now it is out of my hands, the people do what they want. And yes, I think they will just light it now,” he told AT5 this afternoon.
Safety risk area
Around the Floraveld in Noord from 6 p.m. Monday evening until Wednesday morning 6 a.m. safety risk area into force, the municipality also announced this today. The police can therefore preventatively search for, for example, heavy fireworks.
Just like in previous years, the police have indications that there will also be heavy fireworks in the Floradorp area this year. For example, heavy fireworks were used in recent years to ignite the annual New Year’s Eve fire.