The start of a new year is always a time of great celebration, filled with joy, hope, and excitement for what's to come.
People from all corners of the world gather together to mark the occasion, bidding farewell to the old year and embracing the new one with open arms. Festivals, parades, and fireworks light up the night sky, while families and friends come together to share traditional foods and drinks, exchange heartfelt wishes, and make resolutions for the future. It’s a time for reflection, for togetherness, and for looking forward to the possibilities that lie ahead.
New year’s eve in Bangladesh
New Year’s Eve is a public holiday in my country. People celebrate this occasion by wishing for their loved ones through phone calls and messages or by gathering with friends and family to enjoy sweet dishes.
During this time of year, as the nights grow longer and colder, the city streets and buildings come alive with a festive spirit. The facades of buildings are often adorned with tiny, twinkling lights of various colors, casting a warm glow onto the sidewalks below. As you walk through the streets, you can hear the faint strains of music drifting through the air, adding to the cheerful atmosphere. It’s a magical time of year when even the busiest city can feel like a winter wonderland. Bangladeshi people celebrate New Year’s Eve by lighting fireworks, playing laser games, and attending concerts. People of all ages enjoy fireworks, while young adults around 20 usually celebrate the occasion by going to concerts with their friends. Additionally, some restaurants offer extra discounts for families who dine in and celebrate the occasion together.
However, in Germany, noise levels are heavily regulated, and you can face fines if you exceed the decibel limit, especially during certain hours of the day! People also celebrate this eve here with music, fireworks and wine!
Just wanted to give you a heads up that there are some extra rules to keep in mind during New Year’s Eve. Would you like me to tell you what they are?
Buying Fireworks or creating your own
When it comes to buying fireworks in Germany, you can only purchase them at registered shops during the three days leading up to the new year.
Making fireworks or any other explosives at home is a really bad idea. It’s not only illegal, but also super dangerous and can cause serious harm to people around you. So, please don’t even think about doing it! As such, it is strongly advised to refrain from engaging in such activities. Violations of this law are punishable by imprisonment ranging from six months to five years.
Age limits for buying the fireworks
In Germany, the sale of fireworks or any celebratory pyrotechnics is strictly restricted to individuals with a minimum age of 18. Notably, those who do not meet this requirement are not legally permitted to purchase fireworks.
Type of firework
Fireworks are categorized as F1, F2, F3, and F4. You can purchase fireworks labeled as F1 or F2 without any special permission. However, to set up and use F3 or F4 type fireworks, you need to have a valid permit. It is illegal to import fireworks from outside of Germany and use them here as they are not tested to meet German safety standards. Such fireworks can pose a significant risk to public safety. If you violate this rules, you have to pay a fine up to 50 euro or 3 years of imprisonment!
Place of setting your fireworks:
Fireworks can only be set off during New Year’s Eve. The permitted time for setting off fireworks varies from city to city; some cities allow fireworks to be set off only between 6 pm and 6 am. It is important to note that fireworks should only be set up in open areas such as city centers or designated zones.
It is strictly prohibited to set off fireworks near sensitive locations such as churches, hospitals, senior’s houses, and other important buildings.
Precautions:
When you celebrate the New Year’s Eve with your loved ones, it’s essential to be extremely cautious. Sometimes, the fireworks fail to launch and may come towards you, posing a risk to your eyes. If a firework fails to go off within its time range, keep a safe distance and place it in a bucket full of water after 15-20 minutes.
Cleaning up the waste:
It is important to dispose of New Year’s Eve fireworks debris properly. Cleaning up the streets and separating the waste are great ways to show respect for the environment and the community. Let’s ensure we do our part to keep our surroundings safe and clean.
All in all, I would like to say: New Year’s Eve in Germany is definitely an experience. The many fireworks make midnight special, and you can hear oohs and aahs from all sides. Nevertheless, as I wrote in the blog post, you should also clean up accordingly, be considerate of other people, animals and the environment, and generally exercise caution.