Fireworks Displays Across the World
This article looks at when and why towns and cities across the world have fireworks displays. While many places mark their New Year with a bang, often there are historic events at other times of the year.
This article is a three- to four-minute read.
The UK is unique in celebrating Guy Fawkes’ Night, thanks to the 1605 Gunpowder Plot. However, other countries have their own fireworks displays, and not always just to see in the New Year. The Moving Partnership has been finding out more about some of the more unusual (or bigger) ones – which may come in handy if you are considering a move overseas.
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NuanQuan, China
This Chinese town traditionally had lots of blacksmith shops – and the blacksmiths, who couldn’t afford the proper fireworks usually set off at New Year, instead splashed molten metal on the city walls, creating sparks and using the cooling iron to make flower shapes. Even today, NuanQuan pays homage to its past with a modern-day molten metal show.
Wooden ladles are soaked in water for days prior to the event, so that they don’t immediately combust upon impact with the molten mix of iron, aluminium and copper. Performers dip in their ladles and throw the metal against the city walls, creating impressive showers of sparks.
Remember, this is to mark the Chinese New Year, and so it takes place rather later than January 1. So if you are considering removals to any part of China, their New Year fireworks displays could be in January or February.
Vrontados, Greece
Here, the display isn’t with conventional fireworks but with homemade rockets. The village of Vrontados on the island of Chios, Greece, has a small mock ‘war’ between two churches, Angios Marcos and Panaghia Ereithiani. To commemorate Jesus’ rising from the dead (this takes place every Easter).
Wooden sticks capped with gunpowder are fired relentlessly from makeshift cannons, with the battle traditionally only finishing when one church hits the other’s bell tower. Generally, both churches claim to have been victorious – at least there’s always a reason for a rematch next year.
Montreal, Canada
Sometimes fireworks events aren’t part of a historic tradition, but a purely commercial enterprise. That is the case for The Montreal International Fireworks Competition, which is held every year for the Gold Jupiter Trophy.
Pyrotechnic companies from all over will fire their best rockets, cakes and candles, all choreographed to music, in an event which attracts around three million spectators. You have to pay for the best vantage points, but such is the scale of the event that there are plenty of free places to watch in either Mount Royal Park or on the banks of the Saint Lawrence River.
If you are thinking of removals to Canada, and particularly to Montreal, the competition runs on various dates over a two-month period, and it attracts businesses (and visitors) from all over the world.
New York, USA
In common with the rest of the country, New York celebrates the USA’s Independence Day on July 4 with a bang. A huge fireworks display, sponsored by department store Macy’s, is the centrepiece of the event. However, in recent years, it’s been preceded by some live entertainment. The best place to see the fireworks is by the East River.
If you are considering removals to Washington, Philadelphia, Boston, or Philadelphia, then all these major cities have large displays as well.
Removals with The Moving Partnership
The Moving Partnership can help you move to a wide variety of destinations, not just those listed above. Our network of contacts in the international removals industry means we can source a competitive quote for you, which will be tailored to your exact requirements.
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FAQS:
Q: Do any other countries celebrate Guy Fawkes’ Night?
A: Yes, some Commonwealth countries with significant ties to the UK still have some displays – notably in Canada, New Zealand and Australia. South Africa also marks the occasion, where it is known as "Penny Penny" in some of the townships, as it can also include traditions like children singing for money.
Q: Are there any other laws relating to fireworks overseas?
A: Some countries, notably Ireland, Chile, and Saudi Arabia, have banned the sale of fireworks for personal use. A ban is also due to come into force in the Netherlands. Other countries, including Australia and parts of China, also have significant restrictions on their sale and use.
However, virtually all countries still allow public displays, usually on New Year’s Eve by major landmarks such as Sydney Harbour Bridge, Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach and Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate.
Q: Where were fireworks invented?
A: Fireworks were first used in ancient China around 2,000 years ago. They were probably created by accident when hollow bamboo stalks were thrown into fires, creating loud pops and bangs that were believed to scare away evil spirits. Over time, this evolved into a more intentional use.
