site.btaSofia Cracks Down on Firecrackers

Unregulated use of firecrackers in Sofia will incur a fine of BGN 500 - 2,000 for individuals, while for legal entities, the range will be BGN 3,000 - 10,000, Sofia Municipality told BTA on the eve of New Year’s celebrations.

Fireworks, firecrackers, bombs and any pyrotechnic devices of category F2 and F3 can be used only on New Year's Eve, until 2:00 a.m. on January 1, or after a prior application and permission from the local administration.

There will be no fireworks at the New Year's show "Stage under the Stars" on Knyaz Alexander I Square, co-organised by Sofia Municipality.

The uncontrolled use of pyrotechnic devices affects negatively young children, people with disabilities and animals because of the loud noise, the municipality recalls. There are over 5,000 children on the autism spectrum, thousands of people with health problems, babies and toddlers, pets and stray animals in the city who truly suffer from the indiscriminate use of pyrotechnics. Every year, animals are injured or killed because of the loud noise, which can send them into a state of shock and cause extreme stress. Fireworks also release very high levels of harmful gases and pollute water and soil.

According to the new regulation, ten days before the event (family celebration or other), an application form must be submitted to the local administration, stating when, where and what pyrotechnics will be used. The ordinance prohibits the use of pyrotechnics in spaces between apartment buildings, around medical facilities, schools, kindergartens and churches.