New Year’s Day fireworks will take place in Prague 2 again

New Year’s Day fireworks will again take place at Folimanka park under the auspices of the Prague 2 district.

The district is stepping because Prague City has already decided not to have either fireworks of a videomapping on January 1, 2021.

In the past, it had been a tradition to have fireworks on the evening of January 1, rather than midnight on December 31, so the entire family could see it. Aside from being New Year’s Day, January 1 is also Restoration Day of the Independent Czech State, marking the split from Czechoslovakia in 1993.

Last year, Prague City Hall canceled the city-sponsored fireworks due to environmental concerns and substituted a repeating videomapping at Wenceslas Square. The videomapping was poorly attended and had lukewarm reviews. The city this year has canceled both due to economic reasons, as the loss of tourism related to the coronavirus crisis has cut sharply into municipal income.

The registered association Ohňostroj pro Prahu (Fireworks for Prague) is preparing a show under the theme of “Prague Lives! With a heart in the palm of your hand” (Praha žije! Se srdcem na dlani). Like last year, the organizational is asking the public for donations to support the show.

“The New Year's fireworks on January 1, 2020 were very successful, so we are going to do it again and we want to prepare an even more unforgettable experience for you. The New Year's fireworks ‘Divine Prague’ (Praha božská) cost a total of 284,485 CZK with VAT and were a huge success. Not only thanks to the implementation team (which has surpassed in every respect) and the huge support from the partners, but also thanks to you — the contributors,” Ohňostroj pro Prahu said on its website.

“The big goal for next year is to exceed the above amount so that we can untie the implementers and bring you, the spectators, enthusiasts and fans an even better experience and a celebration of the arrival of the new year,” they added.

 While full details have not been finalized, the fireworks will be launched from the bastions at Folimanka park, most likely at 6 pm on January 1. The show will best be visible from the walls on Vyšehrad, though it can be seen from other surrounding locations.

Prague 2 Deputy Mayor Alexandra Udženija (ODS) welcomes the fireworks. “I am glad that Prague will not lose its tradition, that this year will be even more strongly connected with the #nebudustrilet campaign, which points out that it is also possible to celebrate the arrival of the new year with fireworks. I am looking forward to New Year's fireworks and I am glad that Prague took over the auspices of the whole event again,” Udženija said on Twitter.

The Ohňostroj pro Prahu association also spreads awareness about fireworks with its #nebudustrilet (Don’t Shoot) campaign that discourages the indiscriminant use of fireworks by private individuals . They claim the environmental problems are not caused by organized shows in a limited area for a few minutes but widespread use of fireworks across the entire city over the course of several hours.

Environmental problems related to fireworks include air pollution and loud noise, which affects both pets and wildlife.