Fireworks – what a blast I admit it: I am one of those part-time pyrotechnics fanatics who “pointlessly” set off rockets and firecrackers. I know how noisy, environmentally harmful, and dangerous they are – to health and even to life. I know I am polluting the air and causing stress to innocent animals. But I love it. The 1 August fireworks have been my ritual for the last 50 years. A way to celebrate life. They even taught me the virtue of saving money. Only after months of squirrelling away pocket money could I afford enough “ammo” to spend hours firing salvos with my cannon made from a tube of cardboard. If the cannon caught fire, my father would put the flames out – mimicking an air raid siren as he did so. My dad was a serious man, but even he was a child at heart on 1 August, indulging my boyhood dreams. Just as I would later enjoy living out the child in me as a dad, egged on by my daughter: “Papa, you’re the best!” Fireworks were always meant to entertain the masses – ever since they were invented by the Chinese in 200 BCE before arriving in Europe in the 14th century. Public festivities harnessed the spectacle of fire to make great shows. Just as amateur pyrotechnicians do today. And don’t we all like to show off now and again? But the fun is over. Over two thousand years later, and fireworks are suddenly taboo. The sensible people have been leading the backlash, not least since war in Europe became brutal reality again. And yes – I think the fun police will win, regardless of whether the proposed ban is endorsed. Not only do they have sounder arguments, but timid has also become the new zeitgeist. If children turn up at playgrounds wearing helmets, then we probably shouldn’t expect something as risky as fireworks to be tolerated much longer. I won’t put up a fight, nor expect you to either. Fireworks have had their day. No use in crying. Better to be grateful to have had the experience. As fume-laden and noisy the heyday of fireworks may have been, it was also full of joy and cheer. And wonderfully pointless. What a blast! Rudolf Gafner is a freelance journalist based in Burgdorf (canton of Berne) Fireworks – what a racket Growing up, I, too, remember the enthusiasm for fireworks, set off in Swiss front gardens and neighbourhood streets every year on 1 August. Not that I was particularly drawn to the spectacle, but neither did it bother me. I always enjoyed the Catherine wheel that my father would nail to a telegraph pole. It would spin faster and faster, throwing out sparks. I also have fond memories of the fireworks at our local summer lake festival, the Alps lending a glowing backdrop to the colourful display. It was beautiful. That was then. Now it’s just a constant banging and whizzing. Not only are the pyrotechnics more varied these days, but unfortunately they are also much more powerful. Back in the day, people lovingly lit rockets made from empty bottles of mineral water. Nowadays, we’re talking multiple-launch batteries taking several dozens of quickfire shots in less than a minute – turning the village square into a cardboard-strewn battlefield. The bigger the budget, the louder, the longer and more frequent the fireworks. Money is not in short supply in Switzerland. The result? Exasperated neighbours, quivering dogs, terrified cattle, and birds driven from their nests. Air pollution. Rubbish. Accidents. Fireworks are a life-affirming tradition, I hear you say. But how inconsiderate is “life-affirming” allowed to be? Most fireworks are made in China – to what extent are they part of our heritage? But few things are more Swiss than direct democracy. Which is why we can now decide whether the indulgence of a minority should continue to undermine growing awareness of animal and environmental protection. According to a survey conducted in 2024, only 13 percent of the population buy fireworks. Attitudes have changed, but the fun need not stop. How about Swiss-made fountain fireworks? These are effective enough without the ear-splitting noise. And by all means: let us all enjoy a safely organised public firework display now and again. They can be stunning. Communal experience or showing off? I know what I prefer. Susanne Wenger is a “Swiss Review” editor Swiss Review / October 2026 / No. 4 11
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