donderdag 1 januari 2015

Another Dutch tradition

Usually we live in a quiet area here but on New Year's Eve it changes in a kind of "War zone". The Dutch have a long tradition of setting of fireworks in their backyards and the streets on New Year's Eve. I remember of my youth we had some little asterisks you could hold in your hand on the streets and that was it. Boys used to have some firecrackers with big bangs.

But times have changed and so the fireworks have, complete light shows go in the air and it looks like daylight here in my backyard.

There are discussions going on in society how to handle this, lots of accidents happen with eye and hand injuries mostly by children. But another Dutch tradition is long discussions before decision- making. Nobody wants to be the one who forbids this dangerous tradition that has got out of hand.
Our cat Sofietje didn't understand what was going on outside and we couldn't explain it to her so she hid in fear in far places in the house.
By the way a Happy New Year everyone! 


19 opmerkingen:

  1. Very pretty, but not in a neighbourhood. Fireworks had to be banned in back yards after someone's house caught on fire from the smoldering firework that landed on a neighbour's house in a community next to ours. I like the idea of fireworks and we mostly have them down on the river, which is 5 min walk from the house. Still, though, there are some idiots that get a few drinks into them and decide to have fireworks in their yards, which the local mounties have to come and stop it all. Fireworks have to be handled with care and one must know what they are doing, for there are many accidents. My poor dog shakes so bad when fireworks go off - its almost like she is having a seizure which really upsets me. When we know there will be fireworks, we just turn up some music, so she can't really hear it, but like I said the "idiots" surprise us every now and then. I do go all over the world virtually and watch the celebrations in many countries on New Years Eve. I enjoy that very much. Poor little Sofietje, hope she came out of hiding. Happy New Year.

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  2. Reminds me of a cartoon I saw within the past few days of a wife lamenting how her husband had dumped a wad of money on the biggest firework he could find for New Year's. :-)

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  3. Happy New Year to you and Sofietje :)
    You were having trouble with the fireworks as well :))
    【ツ】Knipsa

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  4. At least you managed to get some nice photos of the celebration.

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  5. I missed all the festivities this year, and am now finally recovering from a very mean virus. Happy New Year!!

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  6. In Germany too, they were always crazy with fireworks I remember as a child. When we moved to Belgium there was nothing ! Now it's exactly the same ! Fortunately my cats didn't bother, but we had friends with two dogs here, the poor things !
    Happy New Year to you !

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  7. De beste wensen! En het is wat met al die tradities hier...ik ben blij dat er nu pas vanaf 18 uur mag worden afgestoken want dat scheelt toch al heel veel herrie hier. En van mij mag het nog wel later: tussen 22 en 2 uur lijk me prima. Wie weet.....

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  8. Here in the States our 4th of July Independence Day celebration is the big fireworks to-do. Some states sell fireworks all year round so perhaps they shoot them off there for New Years but here in California there is none of that, at least that I know of. Perhaps there are those who have smuggled fireworks across state lines and had their fun last night. At least now I live in a year round fireworks free zone which I appreciate very much for the noise scares the bejesus out of people's pets and that's not good. Poor Sofietje.

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  9. I love fireworks but I confine myself to organised displays nowadays. Personally I don't think they should be sold to the general public as some people are so stupid with no regard to how dangerous they can be until it is too late. Happy New Year Marian

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  10. Here also are fireworks a lot. I can see them everywhere in my balcon. It's the tradition, like as world war, as you say.

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  11. Fireworks here are very intermittent. The city puts them on sometimes. There are very few private fireworks.

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  12. Gelukkig Nieuw Jaar. Het valt wel op dat er dit jaar minder vuurwerk is.

    Groetjes,
    Filip

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  13. Dearest Marianne,
    Poor Sofietje and other pets. Luckily here in Georgia not much of that is happening as a permit is needed for most types of firework! It varies by state but I don't regret that it is more strict. Indeed, such a tradition for setting off firework from back yards is a very dangerous one. But people can be oh so stupid; even at high cost. One wonders, at the same time those very same people scream about 'monetary crisis'... Poor children that become victims!
    Wishing you a Happy and Peaceful 2015 for the remainder of the days...
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  14. Oh my, that must have been LOUD! I think it's too cold here for people to be outside at night shooting them off. New Year's Eve was quiet here.

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  15. Beautiful fireworks, but yes, I can see that being a bother for a cat.

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  16. It is forever etched in my mind, the first New Year's Eve I spent in The N etherlands!

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  17. I remember those days when fireworks were readily available.. But these days it's absolutely illegal for private fireworks, thankfully we have many officially organised shows throughout the year. Wishing you all the very best for 2015 Marianne.

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  18. yes, the crazy fireworks. they should stop it.
    i think here in groningen it was a bit less extreme than last year in amsterdam. but still.... ugh...

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