Warsaw snubs New Year's festivities due to war in Ukraine

The authorities of Poland’s capital Warsaw decided that in view of Russia’s war on Ukraine, holding New Year's celebrations would be inappropriate.

This was stated by the spokeswoman for the Warsaw City Hall, Monika Beuth, Ukrinform reports with reference to Tvn24.pl.

"A brutal, bloody war is raging in Ukraine, across our eastern border, in which peaceful people die every day. Therefore, now is not the climate that would inspire organizing such special, joyful events," Beuth said.

She also recalled that, in view of the energy crisis, the City Hall limited its expenses, primarily on entertainment.

In addition, the spokeswoman for the mayor's office called on citizens to refrain from using firecrackers and fireworks on New Year's Eve, as this may cause Ukrainians, of whom there are about 100,000 in Warsaw, stressful associations with war. She emphasized that it is especially relevant to the affected children.

The City Council joined the initiative of the mayor's office, which also called to do without fireworks on New Year's Eve.

As reported by Ukrinform, there are 950,000 refugees from Ukraine in Poland, most of them staying in Warsaw and Wroclaw.

Photo: Hyser