31 December 2019: Fireworks at 20:00

One firework was enough and the time was right

Release
16.1.2019 12:35
In the feedback survey, the rapids show on New Year's Day also received support.

At the beginning of January, the city of Imatra asked for opinions about the New Year's Eve fireworks and the following day's rapids show.

In just over a week, 283 responses were received via the city's website and social media.

A clear majority of those who responded to the survey (84 percent) thought it was good that the city eliminated one of the New Year's Eve fireworks for environmental reasons.

Fireworks were organized on New Year's Eve at 20 p.m. This time was chosen so that families with children could also see the fireworks. 80 percent of the respondents considered the time of day to be functional.

The majority of people were satisfied with the display of the fireworks (excellent, good, sufficient). The showing was disappointing for 12 percent.

Openness to new ideas

The city also asked about the possibility of changing the fireworks to a laser show, as, for example, Espoo has already done for environmental reasons. 57 percent of the respondents thought this possibility was good, and 43 percent rejected it.

─ It may be that the price of the laser show is too expensive for us based on preliminary inquiries made at the beginning of the year, but we will now map out other lighting show options, for example alongside the fireworks or even in the future as a replacement for the show. These will be decided later, Director of Communications Liisa Hupli-Oinonen says.

In the comment sections, a few respondents suggested combining a laser or light show with a rapids show.

Approval for the rapids show

Accordingly, the city also wanted opinions on whether moving the New Year's rapids show from the eve to the first day of the year and during daylight hours was a good solution. 79 percent of respondents supported this change.

─ Based on these answers, we start planning the next turn of the year. Thank you to everyone who answered, says Hupli-Oinonen.

 

For more information:

Director of Communications Liisa Hupli-Oinonen, 0206172400, liisa.hupli-oinonenatimatra.fi (liisa[dot]hupli-oinonen[at]imatra[dot]fi)

Attachments

Comments

Respondents to the survey commented on the questions in abundance. Attached are a few selections.

The city of Imatra omitted one of the fireworks on New Year's Eve for environmental reasons. Was this a good solution?

  • Fireworks always result in disturbance and fear for animals, so the practice of one firework was very good.
  • One shot is enough. Really nice sense of community - two separate people sharing troops for no reason in a city this size.
  • It's better to invest together than sprinkle them throughout the evening. In addition, being ecological and consumer-friendly is always a plus.
  • Totally pointless waste of money.

Fireworks were organized at 20 p.m. so that families with children would also have the opportunity to see the fireworks. Was the timing right? 

  • Best of all, I've never seen so many people at a late show.
  • Excellent timing. Why should it be half night?
  • Fireworks celebrate the turn of the year, that's when it should be. Children can also supervise once a year.

Espoo already replaced the fireworks with a laser show. Many cities think the same. Could Imatra change the fireworks to a laser show?

  • Definitely could replace. At the same time taking into account dogs and also people who are afraid. Without forgetting the environment.
  • You could try it and then ask for an opinion. You could put a laser show on a rapids show. It would be less noisy and still a wonderful thing.
  • Then when/if fireworks are banned.
  • I think Imatra could also create a completely new tradition, something original and unique, like a rapids show as a light show.
  • No, no and no. Maybe, if the laser show could have nice sound effects..but it's unlikely. Not even the Dubai laser show video beat our fireworks.

The rapids show was organized this time on January 1.1, so that the celebration could also be spread over the first day of the year. Was the solution good? 

  • A really nice program number for a public holiday. And if someone didn't gather to see the rockets, maybe they saw the foam of the rapids.
  • The viewers liked it, the people on the spot talked and said that it is beautiful, beautiful music and winter scenery, fits well with the New Year's Day program. Mulled wine could also be served at Inkerinaukia, for example, some families with children asked about it.
  • I think it would fit better and get your rights better in a dark time.
  • It would be better as an epiphany, the end of the Christmas season.