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ItalianoUpdated 28.12.2022
At the turn of the year 2020/21, out of respect for nature and wildlife, official fireworks were dispensed with for the first time in Ellmau, Scheffau, Going and Söll.
Even in the third year without official fireworks, the Wilder Kaiser Tourism Association (TVB) never tires of emphasising this: If you are serious about nature conservation, you cannot fire rockets into the sky on New Year's Eve. They frighten (wild) animals, heavy metals end up in the soil and thus in food, and fine dust is carried into the air - not to mention the rubbish. In the Wilder Kaiser region, i.e. in the four villages of Ellmau, Going, Scheffau and Söll, it was decided three years ago to do without the colourful fireworks once and for all. The tourism association and the municipalities are setting a good example and invite everyone else in the region to join them in protecting nature.
"As beautiful as fireworks are to look at, the noise, fine dust and the rubbish in the fields are disturbing for people and animals. We have received a lot of positive feedback for our decision to celebrate the turn of the year in an atmospheric way, but without official fireworks. We also invite all hosts, their guests and everyone who lives in the region to pop corks instead of rockets," says TVB Managing Director Lukas Krösslhuber about the decision.
Animals need peace and quiet
Especially in winter, wild animals need a lot of rest because they have to reduce their energy levels due to a lack of food, as Franz Goller, the conservation officer for the Kaisergebirge, recently explained in an interview for the Wilder Kaiser Blog. But it is not only wild animals that are affected: domestic animals and animals in stables are also frightened and traumatised by firecrackers and rockets, as Josef Geisler (ÖVP), the provincial councillor responsible for animal protection, emphasised in a press release yesterday.
Avoiding waste and fine dust pollution
But it is not only animals that suffer from fireworks, rubbish and air pollution could also be avoided. Referring to the fact that the fine dust limit values are exceeded every year on New Year's Eve, René Zumtobel (SPÖ), regional councillor for nature conservation, also calls for an "environmentally friendly turn of the year". However, according to the provincial government's statement, it is positive to note that the measured pollution has been decreasing continuously for years - a sign that more and more people, as well as municipalities and tourism associations, are doing without fireworks.
Flame show instead of firecrackers
"We are happy to show that there is another way. For us, nature conservation is not just a 'trend', but a necessity in order to preserve flora and fauna for future generations. That's why we're happy to do without a few colourful firecrackers on New Year's Eve - and still celebrate in an atmospheric way," adds TVB Managing Director Lukas Krösslhuber. For example, at the traditional "Vorsilvester" in Scheffau on 30 December there is a light and flame show instead of fireworks, as well as at the popular New Year's event on 1 January at the Stanglleit in Ellmau: there, too, the motto is "flame show" instead of fireworks. More tips on how to celebrate New Year's Eve without fireworks can be found on the Wilder Kaiser Blog.