After a heated New Year’s Eve, emergency services, police officers and fire brigades called for help – a night like this should not be repeated. All over Germany there were serious, sometimes fatal accidents in connection with fireworks and firecrackers. Especially in Berlin, the situation escalated from hour to hour. The capital reports by far the worst balance sheet, speaks of scrap fire brigade ladder trucks and first responders who have been hospitalized with injuries.
The star published an article on New Year’s Day with the headline “New Year’s Eve has proved: A firecracker ban is urgently needed”. Shortly thereafter, numerous letters reached the editors, in which readers described their experiences on New Year’s Eve – and on the one hand also demanded the ban, but on the other hand asked for understanding for the tradition and presented alternative solutions.
Lutz R.: “It’s time to let go of this constant teasing. ‘It has to be done’. Just because the old year is sold out once a year and space is made for a new year doesn’t mean that anything has to be forbidden. With the You could have the same right to abolish driving and walking in the forest can also be dangerous. In short, we must abolish life itself so that no one can come to harm. What nonsense you want to open the floodgates to here.”
Thomas T.: “In my opinion, you have to differentiate between the usual New Year’s Eve fireworks and articles from the professional sector, which people without specialist knowledge are not allowed to ignite. A normal Chinese firecracker with CE and F2 marking, which is approved in Germany, is not capable of tearing off limbs. Even if used improperly, there may be a small burn blister, which cannot be treated in the emergency room. It becomes dangerous if, as mentioned above, pyrotechnic objects from the professional sector are used. (…) Are you annoyed by the fireworks? I am I’m annoyed by constantly barking dogs, by dog excrement in children’s playgrounds; I’m annoyed by the drug trade around train stations in Germany. New Year’s Eve is once a year. If a few mess up, you shouldn’t ban it for those who handle fireworks carefully.”
Lisa T.: “I’ve never just written to an author before, but now I want to change that and say a huge thank you. You speak from my heart and we have now really seen how dangerous the fireworks can be used. Thank you also in the Names of the emergency services, attacking them just leaves you speechless.”
Cornelia S.: “I agree with you completely. Also in view of the war in Ukraine, I find this firework display irresponsible. Perhaps the star could start a collection of signatures and hand them over to our government. I don’t know anyone anymore who supports this uncontrolled banging .”
Sven B.: “I celebrated in a small town (…) and with a lot of firecrackers. There were no mass brawls, attacks on emergency services and anything else. I only saw happy people who were just a part of their culture (yes, that’s how it is. Even if it doesn’t fit into your world view) and don’t worry about the pandemic, inflation and a possible nuclear war for one night. Your article is an insolence and a kick in the face of every decent person.”
Sebastian S.: “(…) In the event of a ban, however, I believe it will not be less, but more – and the black market will grow and thrive. In addition, the countries around us will be happy because they will be good on the east side earn from us. Maybe their goal as New Year’s Eve opponents. I can only say that in beautiful Lower Saxony and our family and friends, there was also a bang or goodbye to the year with effects. In other words, three to four families who together ignite three, four volcanoes and three batteries . But of course we can also discard all old customs and ban everything in the country because we Germans can save the world on our own. (…)”
Sasha S.: “First of all, I can understand your opinion on such idiots. I don’t think a general ban on fireworks is right, because you punish the people who use them sensibly and enjoy them. It costs jobs and it is a cultural asset! In my opinion and also that of experts, this will then shift to the fireworks available abroad, which is known to be much more violent. The do-it-yourselfers would take it and that is extremely dangerous. There must be other solutions, because a culture of prohibition fits not in a democracy. For example, no tax under 25 years and/or a clearance certificate. Extremely high penalties for violations!”
Yvonne B.: “It’s hard to bear that a country like ours causes so much suffering every year just because none of the decision-makers have the courage to finally change something that isn’t even an issue in other countries and like you write, knows almost only cons and no pros. Yesterday evening – well after the official welcome of the year – I had to let very simply knitted but well-informed people explain to me that they can fire up as much as they want until 11:59 p.m. And they did it like there was no tomorrow. It wasn’t their fault that my children and my animals were scared at home and I should understand that they enjoy it.”
Uwe M.: “Maybe just be a bit more tolerant and don’t immediately call for bans. You can arrange things differently without taking the fun out of people. A little anecdote: My grandparents weren’t very happy about New Year’s Eve, they experienced the war and the fireworks reminded us of that. Nevertheless, they never came up with the idea of wanting to forbid others. ‘The young people should have their fun’. And as mentioned, where do you draw the line between what is still allowed and what is forbidden? You can find arguments (and supporters) for almost anything if you want to. And something always bothers someone. But where does it end?”
Volker P.: “What nonsense! (…) Yesterday I had a lot of fun with my son playing responsible firecrackers and I don’t want to let such ignorant flat whistles like you ban me from firing firecrackers! Take care of your own Things!”
Transparency note: The selection of letters does not reflect all submissions that have reached us. Many submissions had a racist background, which we will not give space to here.
