Dispute over the “legacy of Szewczyk Dratewka”. Krakow bans fireworks despite industry protests

Krakow is introducing a year-round ban on lighting fireworks, crackers, fireworks and other spectacular pyrotechnic materials – city councilors decided on Wednesday. The ban will not apply on the following New Year's Eve.

32 councilors voted for the draft resolution (mainly KO), 5 were against, 4 abstained (mainly PiS and Kraków for Residents), and one did not vote.

The new law applies to public and private places if the use of pyrotechnic materials results in an impact on public places.

The purpose of the resolution is – as we read in the justification – protecting the life, health and peace of Krakow's inhabitants and ensuring public safety. The ban will be enforced by the city guard.

– We are aware that it will not be easy to keep an eye on it, but we have to start somewhere. I think that the ban itself will reduce the number of people who want to fire pyrotechnic materials, Aleksander Miszalski, mayor of the city, told journalists.

We'll shoot again this year

Due to the fact that some residents and entrepreneurs could already make preparations to celebrate the coming of the new year, the ban will not apply on the following New Year's Eve – from December 31 to January 1 at from 10 p.m. to 2 p.m.

The Association of Importers and Distributors of Pyrotechnics (SIiDP) does not agree with the decision of the Krakow authorities. It unsuccessfully appealed to councilors to suspend the vote on the resolution banning the use of fireworks and to include the voices of the industry in the consultations.

The president of this association, Marta Smolińska, emphasized that fireworks in Krakow are not only a New Year's Eve spectacle, but also an element of the city's cultural heritage – a centuries-old tradition dating back to the times of the legendary Szewczyk Dratewkawhose stratagem allowed him to defeat the Wawel dragon.

According to representatives of the pyrotechnics industry the ban affects not only tradition, but also the economy – means limiting tax revenues to the city and voivodeship budgets and eliminating jobs. A total ban may also favor – according to industry representatives – the development of the gray zone and illegal trade in products of unknown origin.

Residents wanted a ban

According to a survey conducted by the Krakow City Hall on a sample of 10,000. inhabitants 75 percent Krakow residents support limiting the use of fireworks.

According to representatives of the pyrotechnics industry, public consultations should be carried out, taking into account the voices of representatives of this industry.

SIiDP recalled the results of a study carried out on the nationwide Ariadna research panel, according to which only 36 percent respondents support a complete ban on fireworks, and 49 percent believes that fireworks should only be banned at specific times and in specific places.

In Małopolska, bans on the use of pyrotechnic materials are already in force in the commune of Bukowina Tatrzańska and Zakopane.

Beata Kołodziej (PAP)

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