Large fireworks over the Rhine on 31 July in the city of Basel took place in dim light after two cancellations due to the pandemic. Meanwhile, this year’s Basel national festival on August 1 at Bruderholz will take place without fireworks and bonfires due to drought and the environment.
That tap-dance in Basel bear
While all communities in the region are banning fireworks, organizers in Basel are going all out during federal celebrations. Marcel Meier, vice president of the “Federal Celebration on the Rhine” association, proudly presented the plans for next Sunday on Wednesday.
In the end there will be fireworks again. However, less than usual, as the club seeks to reduce fine dust pollution. So far, it has not been possible to do completely without pyrotechnics: “On the one hand, certainly a large part of the population appreciates fireworks. For this it is necessary to weigh these different aspects.” According to Marcel Meyer, the club is also open to options in the future: “It will certainly include aspects like a drone show somewhere.” Precise planning will continue.
Adrian Placheci (chief of communications for the cantonal police in Basel-Stadt), Fauci Marti (president of the “Official National Day on the Bruderholz”), Marcel Maier (vice president of the “Federal Day on the Rhine” association) and Pascal Widmer ( Fischer-Club Basel 1884) presents the program on the Wednesday of the Federal Festival. (image via telebase)
It was fast on Bruderholz. Here the organizers dare to do completely without pyrotechnics and fire. Her major goal: visitors shouldn’t notice that ‘something is missing’. Your choice should explain: A large light show, smoke machine and water fountain should inspire. “We will also develop an alternative to bonfires, but we will leave bonfires because of the fine dust pollution,” explains Fauci Marti, organizer of the national festival at Bruderholz.
Rhine fireworks smaller than a third
Federal Day on the Rhine on 31 July has been held in Basel for almost 30 years. The main attraction is the traditional fireworks at 11 pm. A total of 1,382 ignitions are planned. This year, however, the spell of light on the Rhine will be reduced by a third and will therefore last only 16 minutes. New Year’s Eve fireworks in Basel were reduced to 16 minutes in 2019.
The Basel Presidential Department announced on Wednesday that the musical accompaniment for the fireworks will be introduced on a trial basis for the first time on 31 July. Music can be played through a mobile phone or listened to live on Radio Basilisk with an FM radio.
As usual, on Sunday there will be a large fireworks display by two ships, placed between Johanniter Bridge and Middle Bridge and Middle Bridge and Wetstein Bridge.
The festive event begins at 5 pm with a fireboat demonstration. Basel Water Ski Club is now presenting a sporting show between the Johanniter and Wetstein bridges at 7 pm, the statement continues.
The Fischer-Club Basel Water Rafting Association is also organizing a “fun paddle race” instead of the long ship race on the Wetstein Bridge. In addition to about 100 catering and sales stands, there are eleven concert venues.
The core zone including the middle bridge will remain closed for private traffic including cycles from 4 pm on Sunday. Public transport will be closed from 5 pm onwards.
Bruderholz with laser show
The official Basel national festival takes place on 1 August near the water tower on Bruderholz. Due to drought and environmental pollution, the organizing committee will abandon traditional fireworks and bonfires, instead having a full-fledged laser show.
But already in 2019, the committee for the official national celebration at Bruderholz, for reasons of climate protection, relied less on actual fireworks and more on laser light effects. Now the current severe drought has made it easier to make decisions without fireworks, says committee chairman Fauci Marti, upon request. However, in the future, they want to use a more durable track anyway.
Unlike the cantons of Aargau, Solothurn and Jura, Do Basel has not issued a general ban on fireworks. However, fireworks are banned in some communities. The Cantonal Police in Basel-Stadt advises against setting off fireworks in private due to the drought. Any person who burns it should be at least 200 meters away from the forest or residential area.
