New Year’s Eve celebrations may look – and sound – quite different in Groningen in the near future: mayor Peter den Oudsten and his cabinet are calling for a professional fireworks display on the water at the Groninger Museum.
Translation by Hans de Preter
The municipality of Groningen would like to see the city follow in the footsteps of other world metropolises by hosting a professional fireworks display to ring in the new year. Dagblad van het Noorden reports that a single, central display could eventually become an alternative to the current tradition of setting off small (and large) fireworks at home and on the streets.
Outgoing mayor Peter den Oudsten is not under the illusion that fireworks and bonfires in the streets will immediately become a thing of the past if the city organises a professional display, but he reportedly hopes that it will eventually become an event that people choose to attend together instead of setting off fireworks themselves.
RTV Noord reports that the municipality has carried out a feasibility study in the past year, but according to the mayor, it may take years before a true cultural change will occur. The city of Groningen has been implementing more fireworks-free zonesin the past few years, especially areas near retirement homes and animals facilities.
