New Year in Crimea: allowed pyrotechnics can be confused with air defense work

The Crimean authorities, according to them, are trying very hard to create all the conditions for tourists to celebrate the New Year. And they are waiting for guests, despite the extension of the high (“yellow”) level of terrorist danger in a number of areas. “MK” found out what awaits tourists who have gathered in the Crimea to celebrate the New Year.

“Budget restrictions, of course, will be; extra expenses are not needed, ”said the head of the Republic of Crimea Sergey Aksenov, referring to the reduction in some areas of the number of New Year’s street illuminations. In his opinion, the moral aspect is also important: “We have guys at the forefront, risking their lives every day, so it is necessary that there are certain boundaries in terms of the level and volume of entertainment.”

According to the head of the Republic of Crimea, sanatoriums can hold New Year’s concerts at their own expense, “but this should not be done snobbishly.”

“It’s more profitable to book a vacation now, and not just before the New Year, now such programs with accommodation in a hotel will cost 30-40% cheaper,” a representative of the travel industry told MK.

However, Russian travel agencies are not so optimistic.

– This year, no one is betting on Crimea, there is no demand. The main reason is the closure of airports,” travel agent Svetlana Navalikhina, who works online with tourists from all regions, told us. – We didn’t have any particularly interested people in the summer, and, moreover, now for the New Year. Sochi, even Abkhazia are booked now, but Crimea is not. Even in the summer, many refused to rest in the Crimea because of their proximity to Ukraine, that is, this is not only because of the lack of flights.

Local social networks are full of statements of local residents who are critical of the development of tourism in Crimea. Without solving a whole bunch of problems, according to Crimeans, one can hardly talk about attracting tourists to the region:

– We have the Khan’s Palace – not the only relic in the Crimea! When cycling, rock climbing, hiking routes are equipped with campsites, then all this is tourism. In the meantime, our “tourism” is drinking and eating on the embankments,” says Galina from Feodosia.

As for the cost of living, the prices for hotel accommodation during the New Year holidays in Crimea have always been comparable to the high summer season, and even a little higher.

– Our guest house and the village as a whole are still focused on summer holidays. In winter, we have practically no tourists, – Polina Zhidetskaya, a resident of the village of Novofedorovka, told MK. – During the New Year holidays, people go, first of all, to Yalta. And so the situation in our Crimea is calm. Everyone is preparing for the New Year holidays, decorating the territory, preparing programs…

These days, among the Crimeans, a heated discussion has unfolded around New Year’s fireworks. Initially, there was a general ban on any pyrotechnics from the authorities of the region, only firecrackers, sparklers and “tabletop pyrotechnic fountains” were allowed.

But on December 7, Sergey Aksenov announced the decision: “For the period from December 31, 2022 to January 1, 2023 inclusive, remove restrictions on the use and use of pyrotechnic products by individuals and legal entities.”

The opinion of the inhabitants of the peninsula was divided. Some believe that the ban on pyrotechnics for the New Year is “blasphemy”, while others, on the contrary, are shocked by this idea: “Fireworks can confuse air defense, and the New Year can end sadly for someone!” In addition, people fear that “under this guise, terrorist attacks can be carried out.”

What to do for visitors to the New Year in the Crimea? “Last New Year on January 1, we went from Yalta, where we stayed, to Sevastopol,” said Victoria from Tver. – It seemed damp after Yalta, very windy and dank. The city is decorated, Christmas trees are garlands … Fairs worked, gave local performances.

– Who cares, but I really like the Crimea, – shared the Muscovite Margarita. – Every year in January we fly for 4-5 days to Yalta. The weather, of course, is not summer, but better than in Moscow. One year was lucky – even +15 was! We walk along the embankments (they were repaired there), breathe the sea air, sit in cafes on the seashore. You can go on excursions, at this time there are few people. We went to the theater, just walked… In any case, a change of scenery and a break from the metropolis will definitely not hurt!

Published in the newspaper “Moskovsky Komsomolets” No. 28928 dated December 8, 2022

Newspaper headline:
Smoke in the Crimea