Headline: Oslo‘s New Year’s Fireworks Disappointment: Residents Demand Better Value for Money
Oslo residents were left unimpressed and disappointed by the city’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display, or rather the lack thereof. After a five-year hiatus, Oslo municipality brought back its public fireworks show with a bang, but not in the way they had hoped.
The show, which was held on the roof of the Oslo City Hall, was meant to be a grand spectacle visible from various parts of the city. However, many residents took to social media to express their dissatisfaction, stating that the show was barely visible and a complete letdown.
Littering declaring it "the worst fireworks show ever," while another wrote, "If I wanted to watch someone shining a flashlight in the dark, I could have stayed home and done that for free."
The 13-minute light show, which cost the municipality 2 million NOK, was expected to be a safe, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fireworks. But several residents argued that the show was neither impressive nor worth the hefty price tag.
Siavash Mobasheri, leader of the Red Party’s faction in Oslo City Council, criticized the municipality’s spending priorities. "It’s great to mark the turn of the year, but we’re facing economic challenges in the city, and this kind of spending doesn’t reflect that," he said.
Oslo mayor Eirik Lae Solberg (H) acknowledged the mixed reactions but expressed satisfaction with the show. "We expected different views. This was a new venture for Norway, and we’ll learn from what worked well and improve for next year," he said.
Despite the criticism, some residents appreciated the municipality’s efforts to try something new. "I prefer this over traditional fireworks for many reasons, and I hope the municipality continues to explore these options, maybe even using drones," said one resident.
Still, many Oslovians are calling for better value for money and a more impressive display to ring in the New Year.
