According to the proposed regulation, it would only be allowed to light fireworks in Iceland in the following windows: 16:00 on New Year`s Eve until 2:00 on New Year`s Day; 16:00 to 22:00 on New Year`s Day; 16:00 to 22:00 on January 6 (Þrettándinn, also known as Epiphany or the last day of Christmas). The current law allows the sale and use of fireworks from December 28 to January 6, during which time they cannot be lit between midnight and 9:00 a.m., except on New Year`s Eve. Last October, the Justice Department drafted a law that, if passed, would have limited the sale of fireworks to just three days: December 30 and 31 and January 6. It also reportedly limited the use of larger fireworks to a window that runs from 4:00 p.m. of New Year`s Eve to 2:00 a.m. of New Year`s Morning. Then it`s time for the party! After midnight and the fireworks in full swing, Icelanders fall into two camps. They stay at home and enjoy a party at home or go out to party with tourists and expats. Some (but not all) bars and pubs stay open until 5am – check local magazines for special events. The sale of fireworks is also limited to only three days a year: December 30 and 31 and January 6. The Minister of Justice, Ãslaug Arna Sigurbj, presented the draft law on the government consultation portal.

Larger fireworks can only be used from 4 p.m. to 4 p.m., from New Year`s Eve until 2 a.m., and then from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on January 6. Category A fireworks, which cause little danger and noise pollution, can be used all year round. Why am I telling you about fireworks in Iceland? There is no doubt that we are at an unprecedented time in the history of the United States and also with the global economy. Just like in Iceland, we are accumulating the backlog. There is a lot of desire to go to a restaurant. There is a great demand to get in touch with each other. Everyone aspires to return to normality; to get back to their routine. When we return to normality, all this repressed demand will stimulate the economy. We will return to the status quo and return to the path of growth as a society.

There is no doubt that we will see headlines when the news starts to capture the numbers. As a society, I am convinced that we will return to normality. All this pent-up request will quickly get us back on track. At the moment, I can only assume that we feel like Icelanders who cannot set off fireworks; As if we were just waiting to get back to normal. When this happens, we will light a variety of fireworks. We will stimulate the economy and it will resume the status quo. I am convinced of that. Here`s a short video with some thoughts on why: The Minister of Justice, the Minister of Health, and the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources first introduced the proposal in January, with the goal of reducing the negative impact of fireworks on public health, air quality and animal welfare. Here in Iceland, anyone can shoot fireworks, so families and friends can get together, shoot fireworks and have fun. If the weather is still there, there can be heavy pollution, so people with asthma are advised to stay indoors. Once too expensive for most Icelanders, fireworks have become more accessible to the general public thanks to a fundraiser launched in 1968 by the Icelandic Voluntary Search and Rescue Association (ICE-SAR).

While New Year`s eve fireworks are not uncommon, Icelanders take tradition to breathtaking heights and pull the dazzling incendiary craft from the city`s gardens, streets, hills or parks on their northern island. While many fireworks are fired from private gardens, New Year`s shows follow a common schedule. After the fireworks start to ring around 1 a.m., the younger generation flocks to the discos. Very few restaurants remained open in Reykjavík on New Year`s Eve, which caused a problem for tourists who wanted to eat out that night. It`s a family celebration and everyone is busy shooting fireworks and wants to be with their family. Usually illegal in Iceland, on New Year`s Eve, you can buy fireworks from ICE-SAR, the Icelandic Search and Rescue Association.