Tervuren has a comprehensive ban on all types of fireworks, including firecrackers, thunderflashes, and smoke canisters. And the ban even extends to those eco-friendly, 100% biodegradable Chinese lanterns made from rice paper.
Violators caught setting off fireworks could be subject to an administrative fine of up to €350. For Tervuren’s youth, though, the penalty is capped at €175. The fireworks and Chinese lantern ban applies to both private and public spaces within the municipality.
Tervuren’s mayor has the ultimate authority to grant exceptions on either an individual or general basis for “celebratory” fireworks. Private individuals seeking an exemption need a positive opinion from Belgium’s aviation authorities.
And private individuals need to submit a written application to the mayor at least 30 calendar days in advance of the plannedevent. “So for New Year’s Eve, it is now too late to make such an application,” Tervuren’s new mayor, Thomas Geyns, tells Het Laatste Nieuws.
Tervuren is in good company in Vlaams Brabant — the strictest province in Flanders regarding fireworks, with 75% of its municipalities enforcing bans. Oscare vzw, an organization focused on aftercare and research for burn and scar victims, says nearly half of Flemish municipalities (43.3%) still permit fireworks during the end-of-year celebrations. Oscare has long advocated for a total prohibition of fireworks by private citizens.
But even without fireworks or not, everyone is welcome at the Tervuren’s New Year’s reception on Sunday 5 January, between 3pm and 5pm, between the library and town hall.
Read Tervuren’s police bye-law.
Author: Dafydd ab Iago. © Article and photos are licensed © 2024 for https://facebook.com/tervurenplus under the Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International license.
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