Budapest Mayor Karácsony Urges End to August 20 Fireworks

Budapest’s mayor, Karácsony Gergely, used a Facebook post to ask whether the state‑funded fireworks that mark the August 20 national holiday should be discontinued permanently. He argued that a modern celebration can be “dignified and spectacular” without the air‑ and noise‑polluting pyrotechnics that damage urban wildlife, harm public health, and waste public funds.

Karácsony cited a petition signed by more than 230 000 people calling for the fireworks budget to be redirected to drought‑relief measures. He noted that the current government is already planning to replace the fireworks with light shows, music and family programmes, and that the contract for organising the event – originally worth 12.5 billion forints – is being re‑tendered after the previous supplier was dropped.

He also warned that the Danube’s water level is being closely monitored, as a low level in mid‑August could threaten Budapest’s water supply, further underscoring the need to re‑allocate resources.